For the first time since he rejoined the team in late August, safety Jairus Byrd was listed as a full participant in practice Tuesday. Though the designation indicates progress, both head coach Doug Marrone and the Pro Bowl defensive back stopped short of saying he'd be in the lineup to face the Browns Thursday night.
"I spoke to him and he's definitely getting better and getting real close," said Marrone. "I don't want to give you guys the wrong impression. I think we'll see (Wednesday) and we'll make decisions and then after that we've got some time to rest and I think after that depending on how it goes I'd like to say day to day after that."
#Bills S Jairus Byrd was a full participant in practice today — Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) October 1, 2013
While Byrd agreed that this is the best he has felt in dealing with the plantar fasciitis in both of his feet, he wasn't sure he'd be in uniform in Cleveland.
"I think it's more that it's just heading in the right direction," Byrd said. "I've been completely honest it's getting there. It's something that is chronic so it takes a while. So each time you've got to see, one day you might feel great and the next day you might have a setback and it might get a little achy on you. It's heading in the right direction.
"It's coach Marrone, I'll have to talk to him. I don't know what the plan is. It's really his call. He makes those calls. We'll talk to him and see where it goes."
Byrd has been practicing on a limited basis for the first four weeks of the season. He was listed as doubtful each of the first two games this season before being upgraded to questionable in Weeks 3 and 4. The safety has been inactive for each of the first four games.
He is eager to play, but has reservations at the same time.
"This is what you do," said Byrd of his livelihood of playing football. "You want to be out there, but at the same time you want to make sure you're good when you go out there. It's your resume, what you do out there. So yeah of course I miss the game. This is what you do and you appreciate it so you definitely want to get out there."
More on Byrd's status is expected to be known after Wednesday's late afternoon practice.
