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Jairus Byrd health concerns keep on growing for New Orleans Saints fans

By Andrew Schuster

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It’s not yet time to panic.  However, the health of New Orleans Saints safety Jairus Byrd continues to be a growing concern for fans across the “Who Dat Nation.”

Since training camp kicked off almost four weeks ago, Byrd has been comfortably, or uncomfortably nestled in on the physically unable to perform list (PUP).  Minicamp was a different story as he saw some limited action, but of course, no contact and no pads is not the same.

While head coach Sean Payton continues to dodge any questions regarding the health of his players, particularly Byrd, it’s assumed the Pro Bowl safety is still feeling some discomfort in the knee that was surgically repaired to fix a torn meniscus he suffered last October that left him absent for the final 12 games.  However, there’s still no concrete evidence that that’s the problem.

What’s even more concerning is if it weren’t for a fan who captured a photo of C.J. Spiller in a knee brace and crutches last weekend, then we probably wouldn’t have heard a peep about his health either.  But the Saints’ 2015 free agent running back acquisition is reportedly expected to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season after undergoing minor arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 14.

Jairus Byrd has been a no-show for several weeks, without even any signs of him just hanging around on the sidelines.  He hasn’t touched the field since June. New Orleans paid this man a generous sum of money a year ago as one of the NFL‘s biggest acquisitions of the 2014 free agent frenzy.

The talent is without question there for Jairus Byrd, but there’s really no telling if he’ll ever return to that spectacular form he displayed so well through five seasons with the Buffalo Bills. I guess all we can do is hope for the best as it’s about time to downgrade him from an elite safety to a potentially elite safety.  He’s done nothing to prove he’s the same person he was in upstate New York since taking his talents to the Big Easy.

It’s false hope until he can prove otherwise.  But there’s no doubt in my mind that when Jairus Byrd is finally 100 percent, he’ll be able to rebound back into a top-tier safety as one of the league’s best.  This is a special athlete, but health will still continue to be a major concern, and the window for a Week 1 return seems to be getting smaller day by day.

Next: Healthy year or bust for Jairus Byrd, Kenny Vaccaro

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