Demetrius

Byrd

Byrd has been moved out of the intensive care unit, and a full recovery is underway. Though the one-car accident has hurt his chances of being draft, he’s sure to draw interest as a free agent.

A third- to fourth-round prospect before a car accident in the week leading up to the draft, Byrd comes at nice value for San Diego. Sadly, he won’t be making quite as much money as he would’ve had he not driven to church last Sunday. Byrd should have a good shot to stick as a fifth receiver in San Diego. And for his sake, at least he’s going to a pretty good team.

Byrd, a projected mid-round pick who runs in the low 4.4s at 6'0/199, caught 37 passes for 513 yards in 2008. His value was on the rise after a strong Pro Day. He’s in stable condition, but it’s unclear if his stock will be impacted.

Byrd injured his shoulder and ear lobe and has “several scratches” on his face and arms. His knees appear to be OK. Byrd remains in stable condition, but the severity of his injuries is unknown. The shoulder may be a concern.

Byrd is undergoing CAT scans at a Miami hospital Monday to make sure his injuries aren’t serious. This is a concern for his stock so close to the draft.

“The doctors are feeling very good about Demetrius’ chances,” he said. “The blessing is that he’s alive and he’s going to be okay.” It sounds like Byrd will make a full recovery, but sadly this is probably going to hurt his stock.

Byrd was expected to be a mid-round draft pick before the car accident two weeks ago. He says he feels “blessed to be alive” and is “beyond excited” to be a Charger.

“We’re going to monitor the situation,” GM A.J. Smith said of Byrd’s recovery from injuries sustained in a pre-draft car crash. Byrd may be stashed on I.R.

Byrd gets a “redshirt” season after suffering injuries in a pre-draft automobile accident. He’ll return in 2010 to compete for a roster spot.

Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers, Malcom Floyd, and Legedu Naanee have all stayed healthy to this point, so the Bolts won’t be calling on Byrd soon. The LSU product was injured in an unfortunate car crash before April’s draft.