Sports

Saints S Byrd opens camp on the sidelines

by Walter Pierce

The Saints are being cautious in an effort to minimize risk of re-injury.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) - After sitting out the Saints' offseason practices because of back surgery, safety Jairus Byrd is remaining on the sideline as training camp begins.

Coach Sean Payton says Byrd has been placed on New Orleans' physically unable to perform list. Byrd won't be permitted to practice until removed from the list, but Payton says Byrd is on the verge of being fully fit and will return to practice before camp ends.

The coach says the Saints are being cautious in an effort to minimize risk of re-injury. Byrd, who was named to the Pro Bowl last season, signed a six-year, $56 million free-agent contract with New Orleans last March.

Meanwhile, second-year receiver Kenny Stills walked off the field during Friday's opening practice of camp with an apparent leg injury.