the Raiders are still 29th in total defense and 28th overall

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 Black Friday Shoes . Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front. Fake Black Friday Shoes . 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ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Raiders cornerback David Amerson practiced for the first time this week and is expected to play Sunday against Carolina.Amerson was limited and spent part of Fridays workout taking reps with the Raiders first-team defense. He is listed as questionable on the teams injury report and is likely a game-time decision, though coach Jack Del Rio sounded optimistic about Amersons status.He did a little bit today, Del Rio said Friday. He hadnt done much before this, so we still have a question mark on him.Amerson had been sidelined with a knee injury suffered during Oaklands 27-20 win against Houston in Mexico City on Monday. The veteran cornerback is tied for second on the team with two interceptions and is third in tackles behind linebacker Malcolm Smith and rookie safety Karl Joseph.The Raiders took a cautious approach with Amerson this week in hopes of having him available against the Panthers.Sean Smith, the teams other starting cornerback, has been in and out of the lineup with a shoulder injury. Smith missed most of Oaklands Week 8 win over Tampa Bay and was held out the following week against Denver before returning against Houston.While both are expected to play -- Smith practiced without restrictions this week -- the Raiders are still 29th in total defense and 28th overall against the pass. Thats why many people, despite Oaklands 8-2 record and having a slight edge on New England in the race for home-field advantage, are hedging their bets on the Raiders playoff chances.ddddddddddddWith Cam Newton and Carolina coming to town this week, Oakland will need all the healthy bodies it can get. The reigning NFL MVP has passed for 11 touchdown and nearly 2,200 yards and is second among quarterbacks with 268 rushing yards and four touchdowns.You have to treat him like a running back or a fullback even, Amerson said. If youre going to tackle him you definitely have to bring it with you, whether its going low or hitting him like a regular running back. Hes somebody thats hard to bring down because of his physical ability and physicality period.Game notes Wide receiver Michael Crabtree (ankle), running back Latavius Murray (ankle), center Rodney Hudson (knee), left guard Kelechi Osemele (knee), defensive tackle Stacy McGee (ankle), linebacker Perry Riley Jr. (hamstring) and reserve safety Keith McGill (abdomen) were all limited and questionable. Rookie linebacker Shilique Calhoun (knee) is out.----For more NFL coverage: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '