A preseason setback has finally been put completely in the rearview mirror for Jairus Byrd, which will allow the Pro Bowl free safety to return to the starting lineup on Sunday.
"I think Jairus will be back and I think he'll be able to play the whole game," head coach Chan Gailey told Buffalobills.com Friday. "Hopefully we won't be on the field as many snaps this week and we can control the ball offensively and get off on third down and he won't have to play as many snaps."
"I feel really good and I'm encouraged about how my body feels and what I'm able to do out there so I'm excited," Byrd said.
Byrd, who missed the team's last three preseason games with a non-football injury, also did not start in the team's home opener as George Wilson replaced him at free safety. Byrd got 31 snaps in Week 1 against Miami playing in Buffalo's subpackages against the Dolphins.
"It felt good to get out there (last Sunday)," he said. "So now I'm just trying to build off of that this week and keep going."
Buffalo is facing Green Bay's high-powered offense led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who threw for almost 4,500 yards last season along with 30 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. Rodgers did however throw a pair of INTs last week at Philadelphia.
Byrd and his fellow defensive backs know Rodgers and his receiving corps will be a tall task, but they look forward to the test.
"He's exciting. He's one of the best in the game right now," Byrd said. "They're definitely going to throw the ball around a lot so there are going to be opportunities to make plays. Our defense doesn't lack confidence. I know we need to prove it, but we're up for the challenge."
