Darrelle Revis has yet to join his new Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates on the practice field.
That doesn't mean the star cornerback is behind schedule in his recovery from reconstructive knee surgery. Revis is running and cutting in workouts, but it remains a process rooted in patience.
Week 1 remains the goal.
"I'm confident," Revis said Tuesday, according to the Tampa Bay Times. "I'm cutting. (Bucs trainer Todd Toriscelli) might tell me to slow down a little bit, but I'm going full tilt and I'm cutting because I'm feeling good. Cutting and running and doing what I have to do."
Revis doesn't have any worries he won't be able to get up to speed on Tampa Bay's defense.
"I think I'm getting comfortable now," Revis said. "I'm in the walkthroughs, I'm in the meeting. The defense is easy. I'm a veteran and some of the things we did in New York, coach (Greg) Schiano does down here, too. I'm fine with that. I think the biggest thing is making sure I'm 100 percent when I step out there with the guys, my teammates, and we go out there and play some great football."
So much is riding on Revis returning to his dominant former self, so don't expect the Buccaneers to take any chances this summer. Barring something unforeseen, expect Revis on the field when the Bucs visit the New York Jets on Sept. 8.
Something tells us Revis doesn't want to miss that one.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.