The Buffalo Bills have placed the franchise tag on safety Jairus Byrd.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection has started 57 of 62 games since joining the Bills as a second-round pick in the 2009 draft. He is tied for third in the NFL with 18 interceptions since 2009 and last year tied for the AFC lead with five picks.
Under the designation, Byrd will earn the average of the top-five players at his position in 2013 or 120 percent of his salary from 2012, whichever is greater. He can still work out a long-term contract with the Bills.
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