Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd has given himself more than enough time to be ready for the start of the regular season after signing his one-year, $6.9 million franchise tender Tuesday night. The signing comes after the two-time Pro Bowler missed all of the teams off-season workouts, and nearly all of training camp. Buffalo will hold its final practice in suburban Rochester on Wednesday afternoon before returning to its headquarters in Orchard Park, N.Y. A person familiar with Byrds plans told The Associated Press that the player is not in the Buffalo area and intends to join the team within the next couple of days. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Bills have only announced that Byrd has signed. The person added Byrds decision to sign the tender came without any assurances from the team that it wont apply the tag again next off-season. The Bills have the option to do that once more to prevent Byrd from testing free agency. Bills president Russ Brandon has only said the team will continue its attempt to sign Byrd to a long-term contract once it is allowed to after the season. The two sides failed to reach an extended deal before a July 15 deadline. The timing of Byrds signing should not come as a surprise. The move was made to give Byrd enough time to assure him of collecting his entire salary. Had he waited another week, the Bills -- under NFL rules -- could have been put in a position to ask the league for a one- or two-week roster exemption, during which time Byrd would not have been paid. That option is now off the table, with Byrd having two weeks to prepare for the Bills opener against New England on Sept. 8. Byrd, a second-round pick out of Oregon in 2009, has 18 career interceptions -- tied for the NFLs third-highest total since 2009. Byrd is expected to be a focal point of the teams new scheme under defensive co-ordinator Mike Pettine. Speed and versatility have been the foundation of Buffalos defence and the team has used a variety of pressure packages this preseason. That approach would appear to play to Byrds strengths by creating opportunities for him in the secondary. Byrd is not expected to play in Buffalos third preseason game Saturday against Washington and its uncertain if he will be ready to play in the teams preseason finale Aug. 29. Earlier on Tuesday, general manager Doug Whaley said Byrd will have some work to do to learn the new system. "A lot of its just installation and the mental part of it," Whaley said. "Its a new system, its an intricate system and safeties do make a lot of calls so hes missed that. ... So hes going to have some ground to make up but hes a professional. I know hell come in here ready to work and try to contribute as much as possible." When Byrd returns, its expected that he will replace third-year pro DaNorris Searcy in the secondary. Former cornerback Aaron Williams has impressed since making the switch from corner to safety this off-season and is listed as the teams top strong safety on the depth chart. Byrd is Buffalos top free safety. Byrd was Buffalos most consistent defender in 2012 and was added to the Pro Bowl roster as an injury replacement. He led the Bills with five interceptions and four forced fumbles and finished fourth on the team with 76 tackles. The three players ahead of him on that list -- George Wilson, Nick Barnett and Kelvin Sheppard -- are no longer with the team. Cheap Jerseys Paypal . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. Cheap Authentic Jerseys . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. http://www.authenticnfljerseys.net/ . 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Mahrez: Title race not over Leicesters Riyad Mahrez says Premier League title race not done yet The Foxes could capture the Premier League title against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 1pm. Graeme Le Saux insists Ranieris eccentric manner is merely a front The Italian gained his infamous Tinkerman nickname for his liking of squad rotation during a three-and-a-half year spell at Chelsea.And few took Ranieri seriously when he was appointed at the King Power Stadium last summer having been sacked as manager of Greece in 2014. Hes a very shrewd operator and he wouldnt shirk aa big decision.ddddddddddddBehind the smile theres a ruthless football manager, a guy who is happy to make big decisions. Graeme Le Saux on Claudio Ranieri But former Chelsea left-back Le Saux insists Ranieris eccentric manner is merely a front, behind which lies a shrewd and ruthless operator.Thats all veneer, dont be fooled, thats part design, said Le Saux. Hes a very shrewd operator and he wouldnt shirk a big decision. Behind the smile theres a ruthless football manager, a guy who is happy to make big decisions.At Leicester he hasnt had to, the team picks itself. Hes not had to deal with dropping big names and moving people on. Once hes established his team and his shape, hes been the polar opposite to what we were calling him, the Tinkerman. Souness: Foxes defy logic Leicester winning Premier League title defies logic, says Graeme Souness Did he tinker too much? Yes, and its frustrating as a player when you work on a system all week and on the day of the game he changes it. But thats not a criticism of who he is now.When he took over I wasnt prepared to bring those flaws out because it was 12 years since I worked with him, so I thought give him a chance. Also See: Mahrez: Title race not over The German Leicester Leipzig turned down Vardy Simpson: Well do it without Vardy ' ' '