Jairus Byrd

After an appalling Week 3 performance where the Saints defense allowed five touchdowns to Atlanta's running backs, New Orleans has decided to shake things up a bit on defense and shuffle their lineup on defense. Second round pick Vonn Bell will start at safety today instead of Byrd. While it's encouraging that the Saints have tried to shake things up on defense, it remains to be seen how effective it will be seeing that they have been one of the worst defenses in the league for quite a while.

Byrd was down on the field and was forced to leaved the contest with an undisclosed injury. Consider him questionable to return.

This is an encouraging development for the Saints, as Byrd missed all of the team's offseason programs while rehabbing a knee injury. Byrd has not played in all 16 games of a season since 2012 with Buffalo. The 29-year-old defensive back played 13 games for the Saints in 2015, recording 53 total tackles, one interception and one sack.

Saints head coach Sean Payton said that Byrd is currently rehabbing the same knee injury that has plagued him since the 2014 season. Payton went on to add that Byrd may not fully participate in team drills until the beginning of training camp, but is on schedule so far. The Saints safety has only played in 17 games since he signed a huge six year deal in 2014. If he can get healthy and regain his form, his play would be a huge boost for a Saints defense that was dead last in the league in points allowed in 2015.