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PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills are preparing to open training camp minus Jairus Byrd. And with contract talks at a stalemate, the team has no indication when the two-time Pro Bowl safety plans to report. "Hopefully soon," general manager Doug Whaley said Saturday, a day before the Bills were set to hold their first practice in suburban Rochester. Whaley acknowledged thats essentially a guess because Byrd and his agent, Eugene Parker, havent informed the Bills of their intentions. "They havent said anything," Whaley said. Talks remain at a standstill, leaving Byrd a member of Buffalos roster in name only. The Bills prevented Byrd from testing free agency by retaining his rights in March. Thats when they designated him their franchise player by offering him a one-year, $6.9 million contract. Very little has happened since. Byrd has yet to sign the one-year contract, and the two sides failed to negotiate a long-term contract extension by a July 15 deadline. Under NFL rules, the Bills are now limited to reaching a one-year deal with Byrd. He missed all of the teams spring minicamps and is not required to attend training camp because hes unsigned. Parker declined to comment on the status of negotiations or Byrds plans in an email to The Associated Press. Whaley said "the lines of communication are open," but declined to say when the two sides last spoke. He added that he respects Byrd as a player and the position hes taken in refusing to accept the offer. "I think its a normal negotiation process. Weve worked hard. Theyve worked hard. And its just part of the business," Whaley said. "Hopefully, he comes in. And when he does, well welcome him with open arms." The Bills selected Byrd in the second round of the 2009 draft out of Oregon. He enjoyed a breakout season as a rookie, when he earned a Pro Bowl selection after finishing tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions -- a rookie franchise record. Byrd also set a team record that season by having an interception in five consecutive games. Last season, Byrd was the teams most consistent defender and was added to the Pro Bowl roster as an injury replacement. Byrd led Buffalo with five interceptions and four forced fumbles, and finished fourth with 76 tackles. Overall, his 18 career interceptions are tied for third most among NFL players since 2009. His absence leaves a hole in the Bills defensive plans under new co-ordinator Mike Pettine. "That remains to be seen," Whaley said, referring to how much the defence might miss Byrd. "I think theres a lot of guys on the roster now that are going to step up to fill that role until he gets back. And then well go from there when he gets in. So its hard for me to predict that." Converted cornerback Aaron Williams spent much of the spring filling Byrds starting spot at free safety. Byrd is also behind in learning Pettines new defence, which emphasizes player versatility and a complex approach in pressuring quarterbacks from various positions. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore said he and several teammates have been in contact with Byrd and provided him details of the defence. Byrd will still have some catching up to do should he elect to report. Byrd has not commented publicly on his contract status this off-season, and has been careful not to divulge too much in notes posted on his Twitter account. On Monday, Byrd posted a note saying: "Itll be worth it in the end." Two weeks ago, Byrd posted a picture of him and mentor Aeneas Williams, the former star NFL defensive back. The caption under the photo said it was taken after a workout. In other news, the Bills released tight end Mickey Shuler and offensive lineman Chris Scott. The Bills claimed Shuler off waivers in May after he was released by the Oakland Raiders. He had also split time with Minnesota, Miami and Cincinnati since being selected by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 2010 draft. The Bills signed Scott off of Tennessees practice squad in December. He was initially selected by Pittsburgh in the fifth round of the 2010 draft. Whaley has no immediate intention to fill the spots on his roster. He said the openings leave room to add players without having to make cuts. Orioles Jerseys China . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Baltimore Orioles Store . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. https://www.cheaporioles.com/ . - NASCAR announced a 33-race schedule for the 2014 Nationwide Series with virtually no changes from this years slate. Fake Orioles Jerseys . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. Cheap Orioles Jerseys . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. LSU defensive lineman Christian LaCouture will miss the entire season because of a knee injury that occurred in a recent practice, a person familiar with the situation said.The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Tuesday because LSU has not publicly discussed the full extent of the injury, said LaCouture tore his anterior cruciate ligament on Sunday.LaCouture, a senior, has started 23 games for the Tigers. He was expected to play primarily at end, but also has played the interior line spots.He could potentially return in 2017 if he applies for, and receives, a medical redshirt for this season.LSU was expected to have 18 starters returning this season. That number now drops to 17 -- and to eight on defense.LaCoutures injury provides a number of versatile defensive linemen an opportunity to compete for more snaps.Tashawn Bower and Frank Herron are among returniing Tigers with experience at defensive end.ddddddddddddNew LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda also has experimented with playing 299-pound junior defensive tackle Davon Godchaux at end, and could opt for more of those looks should nose tackle Travonte Valentine, who recently returned to LSU after initial difficulty gaining eligibility, pan out on the interior.LSU has only confirmed that Valentine, who spent last season at junior college, has been cleared to practice. Whether the 6-foot-4, 356-pound sophomore is cleared to play remains in question, but the Tigers still have several weeks to sort that out.LSU opens its season on Sept. 3 against Wisconsin, which is hosting the game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.---AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '