Jairus Byrd has said that he is "100% focused" on the Buffalo Bills' opening game of the 2013 NFL season.

The safety has been linked with a trade away from the team, having missed most of the pre-season while holding out for a new contract.

The 26-year-old told the team's official website: "My focus is really just on football right now honestly. My teammates they mean the world to me. I don't want to be any distraction to them like we have a big game coming up and we need to be 100% focused on New England and that's that.

"Coming back I just wanted to ease my way into things. A lot of the faces in here are new. There's a lot of turnover. I'm just trying to learn the new scheme and fit in where I can and just soak up everything I can from coach [Mike] Pettine and the other players.

"I'm here to focus on the team and playing football. That would be something for my agent to handle that side and talk about more. Right now I'm just focused on my feet, getting healthy and giving these guys the best chance for us to win on Sunday against the Patriots."

Byrd made 76 tackles, four forced fumbles and five interceptions last night.