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Kenny Byrd is learning all about patience.

The path to NFL success is pretty straightforward for most rookies.

Quarterbacks, running backs and linebackers all have to work hard with the hopes of earning roster spots. They all could play in their first season and can reasonably fight for backup jobs.

Kickers don't enjoy the same options.

"I was told a long time ago that making it in the NFL is like a four-year process," Byrd said. "I understand that I'm just supposed to learn as much as I can while I'm with a team and keep working. I'm not like the guys at other positions. I have to wait my turn."

Byrd, a St. Pius X High School grad and one of the most successful kickers in University of New Mexico history, has made a big splash with the Detroit Lions. He signed a free-agent contract with the team and has been a model of perfection during two preseason exhibition games.

But Byrd hit a big snag, injuring his right ankle late Saturday against Cleveland.

"I was making my second field goal attempt when a guy came rushing from the outside and collided with me," Byrd said. "I went down and my ankle popped. I finished the game, and I guess I was just running on adrenaline. Afterward, I couldn't really walk on it."

The Lions placed Byrd on the injured reserve list, and he has been seeing doctors in Detroit, Dallas and Albuquerque to determine the extent of the injury.

An X-ray in Dallas on Wednesday confirmed the ankle isn't broken. Byrd said he can walk on flat surfaces, but he has a hard time with any rougher terrain.

"It's the ankle on my kicking foot, so obviously I want to make sure I take care of it," Byrd said.

He has been in touch with his agent and representatives from the Lions but isn't sure what will happen next.

"I have no idea what will happen, because there are all kinds of rules that apply if you get hurt in training camp," Byrd said. "I just have to wait and see what everyone says."

Byrd was building a strong case for himself as a dark-horse rookie kicker.

He was 4-for-4 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points in two preseason games. In his first outing, he hit a 25-yard field goal and extra point late in the fourth quarter to help Detroit pull off a 27-26 comeback win over Cincinnati.

"I was kicking really well," Byrd said. "I felt focused and pretty comfortable out there. I've been told I had a very good preseason."

UNM coach Rocky Long said, before Byrd got injured, the kicker had impressed a lot of teams with his consistency and accuracy.

"Even if he didn't make the roster in Detroit, I think he'll get picked up by some other team, because he has done so well," Long said. "As soon as some team's kicker starts to run into major trouble, coaches will go looking for someone more reliable. Kenny has already proven he's a guy they can trust."

Byrd said he doubts he'll stick with the Lions, because he was competing with popular veteran Jason Hanson, who is entering his 16th season in the NFL.

"I knew I would never replace him, so I just tried to learn as much as I could from him," Byrd said. "He's an amazing kicker, and I feel like I've gotten so much better practicing with him. You hear horror stories about veterans picking on rookies, but he is so friendly. He taught me a whole bunch of little things, these tiny adjustments that have made me so much better."

Byrd has made remarkable progress as a kicker considering he never even played varsity soccer in high school, much less football.

Former UNM quarterback Casey Kelly, who was dating Byrd's sister, encouraged the him to walk onto the team.

Byrd had to get some help putting on his shoulder pads for his first start as a freshman, but he quickly adapted and became a model kicker.

He honed his technique, training with former Cowboys kicker Chris Boniol, and adopted visualization and positive thinking techniques to develop grace under pressure.

Now he is so comfortable on any football field, his NFL preseason games haven't required much of an adjustment.

"There's a big difference for other guys moving up to the NFL, but kickers still pretty much do the same thing they did in college," Byrd said. "My first game really just felt like a road game in college. There's obviously a lot more hype around the team, but it's still the same game."

Byrd isn't sure where his right foot will take him next.

"I could get invited to join another team or I could just get invited to another camp next year with one year of experience," he said. "Obviously, my goal is to kick in the NFL, but I'll go to Arena (the Arena Football League) or anywhere else to keep kicking. I'll go anywhere they'll pay me to kick, because that's just too cool to pass up.

"I know it will take time to sort it all out. All I can do is keep practicing and doing everything possible to prove myself."