Bills free safety Jairus Byrd was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday for his outstanding play, including two interceptions, in Sunday's 19-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals. (US Presswire) |
FS Jairus Byrd helped save Buffalo’s season with two big interceptions in Week 6, and he’s been rewarded accordingly for his efforts.
Byrd was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 6 on Wednesday. Byrd had two interceptions -- one late in the fourth quarter, the other in overtime -- to lead the Bills to a 19-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
It is the first time Byrd has won the award and the first time a Bills defender took home the honor since SS George Wilson in Week 5 of last season. With the two picks, Byrd moved into 17th on the team’s all-time interception list.
Ron Brooks returns: Rookie CB Ron Brooks practiced Wednesday for the first time since being placed on IR on Sept. 4 due to a foot injury. As part of the NFL’s new “Designated to return” IR rule, Brooks is eligible to return to the active roster after eight weeks. “It went good,” Brooks said of his first practice back. “Tried to push my foot and see how it was and it did really good. It felt better than before, actually.”
Carrington gets credit: Alex Carrington had a hand in Buffalo’s Week 6 win over Arizona -- a big hand. Carrington tipped K Jay Feely’s game-winning field goal attempt at the end of regulation, which clanged off the left upright. He was officially credited with a field goal block on Wednesday by the league.
Tarvaris Jackson in tough spot: It was believed that Buffalo’s Week 8 bye would be the perfect time for backup Tarvaris Jackson to get some additional reps at practice. The Bills traded for the signal-caller shortly before the start of the season but Jackson has been stuck in the No. 3 role due to a lack of practice time. But the new collective bargaining agreement will prohibit Jackson from catching up too much. “They get four days off so we get one practice next week,” Gailey said. “It’s hard during the season to get somebody acclimated to the whole thing.”
OL update: RG Kraig Urbik (ankle) and DL Spencer Johnson (ankle) returned to practice on a limited basis. Neither is expected to be ready in time to play Sunday against Tennessee. LT Cordy Glenn (ankle) remains out this week but Gailey said Glenn has a “real good chance” to return after Buffalo’s Week 8 bye against Houston.
Practice participation: Five Bills did not participate in practice on Wednesday -- Glenn (ankle), CB Terrence McGee (knee), SS Da’Norris Searcy (ankle), DT Kyle Williams (ankle) and DE Mark Anderson (knee). McGee is expected to return to practice on Thursday.
For more updates on the Bills, follow correspondent Mark Ludwiczak on Twitter @CBSBills and @MarkLud12.