METARIE, La. (AP) – New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton says starting free safety Jairus Byrd has had season-ending knee surgery.
Payton said Friday the three-time Pro Bowler injured his lateral meniscus Thursday during a workout. Payton, who doesn’t normally announce injuries, says Byrd had informed his father, Gil, an assistant with the Saints’ Sunday opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Byrd was a free agent acquisition during the offseason from Buffalo, where he intercepted 22 passes during his first five years in the league.
He has started four games this season for New Orleans. Byrd does not have an interception with the Saints, but created a turnover with a forced fumble in the season-opener against Atlanta.
The injury is another blow to a defense that has struggled this season, ranking 29th in yards allowed.
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