Byrd (knee) was limited in practice Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

This marks the second consecutive day in which Byrd has logged a limited practice, but it remains to be seen if he'll assume his starting spot at free safety, if he's deemed active Sunday against the Cowboys.

Byrd (knee) is out for Sunday's game in Carolina.

EDGE Analysis

Byrd will miss a third straight game to start the season, but he still hasn't been ruled out beyond Week 3. Kenny Phillips will likely get another start alongside Kenny Vaccaro.

Byrd (knee) is out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

EDGE Analysis

Still unable to practice, Byrd will miss a second straight game to open the season, leaving Jamarca Sanford as the likely starter next to Kenny Vaccaro. The New Orleans secondary is in bad shape.

Byrd (knee) didn't practice Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Byrd has yet to practice this season, but his absence, along with Rafael Bush's (chest) presence on injured reserve, has forced the Saints to trot out a supbar secondary to say the least. While the team hoped that Byrd might be able to return for Week 2, his lack of any practice reps to date are whittling away at that assumption. If he remains sidelined Sunday against the Buccaneers, Jamarca Sanford is the likely candidate to line up next to strong safety Kennny Vaccaro.

Byrd (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's regular-season opener in Arizona, the Saints' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rafael Bush will fill in as the starting free safety, but the Saints hope to have Byrd available as early as Week 2 or 3. Though his surgically-repaired knee is reportedly doing better, Byrd didn't participate in practice this week.

Byrd (knee) will likely miss the Saints' season opener, but is expected to be in the lineup as early as Week 2 or Week 3, Ed Werder of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Byrd, who tore his meniscus early in the 2014 season, has experienced swelling in the knee all throughout training camp. Despite not taking a single snap in training camp, the team decided not to place him on the PUP list so he can return to action any time. With Byrd likely out for Week 1, Rafael Bush is in line to get the start at safety against Arizona.

Details about Byrd (knee) have been scarce, but his health is reportedly "rapidly improving" and he should be seen "soon," according to a tweet by the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

EDGE Analysis

The Saints obviously think Byrd's health is on the mend, as they decided not to place him on regular season PUP list, which means he can return to practice at any point. If Byrd went on the PUP list, he wouldn't count against the roster, but also wouldn't be able to practice for six weeks. Still, the timetable for Byrd's return isn't clear. He didn't take a single snap during training camp and has not practiced since June 17. He has not been even seen at practice in a month. The Saints will return to practice on Wednesday and also release their first injury report that day, which may shed some light on Byrd's status, but it is presumed that safety Rafael Bush will be the Saints' Week 1 starter in Arizona.

Byrd (knee) may be a candidate for the regular-season PUP list, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com.

EDGE Analysis

Saints head coach Sean Payton has relayed optimism throughout training camp, yet Byrd still hasn't been able to practice. If he's placed on the regular-season PUP list, the three-time Pro Bowler will be ineligible for the first six games of the season, leaving Rafael Bush as the likely starter next to Kenny Vaccaro.

According to head coach Sean Payton, Byrd (knee) is a few weeks away from being at full strength after suffering a season-ending meniscus tear in his knee last year, reports Fox Sports. "He's doing well," Payton said. "His rehab is on schedule. He'll be cleared for minicamp. We're looking at about 2 or 3 weeks from him being 100 percent." Byrd's 2014 season ended in Week 4 prematurely, but even before his injury, the Saints' big offseason signing struggled at times. Still, with 22 interceptions in his first five NFL seasons in Buffalo, there's hope that Byrd can rebound in his second season in New Orleans, making him a decent sleeper option in IDP leagues.

The Saints have placed Byrd (knee) on IR, the team's official site reports. With Byrd -- who tore his meniscus in Thursday's practice -- out for the season, the New Orleans Times-Picayune indicates that Rafael Bush is slated to move into the Saints' starting free safety spot in place of Byrd, going forward.