Voluntary workouts for 25 NFL teams began Monday.
The key word in the above sentence is voluntary. As such, many NFL players will decide to skip the offseason workouts at team facilities -- which are restricted to strength and condition and physical rehabilitation -- and train on their own.
Some of the absentee names are bigger than others.
Two Dallas Cowboys players that won't be working out at the team facility in Texas are receiver Dez Bryant and cornerback Orlando Scandrick, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported, according to sources informed of the Cowboys' situation.
Bryant will skip conditioning work because he has yet to sign his franchise tag. This has become the standard move for players who have been slapped with the tag and are still working to get a long-term deal done. We don't expect players like Bryant, Justin Houston, Jason Pierre-Paul or Demaryius Thomas to show up for these voluntary workouts.
Scandrick, on the other hand, is the Cowboys' top corner and is slated to make just $1.5 million this year. The corner's absence is believed to be related to his contract situation, per Rapoport. Scandrick will presumably sit out in hopes of acquiring a raise out of the situation
Some other notable players not joining teammates at workouts:
» Don't expect Adrian Peterson to show up at the Vikings' facility. The running back rarely attends offseason workouts. Given his current contentious relationship with the organization it's not a surprise he'd skip early work.
»Philadelphia Eagles guard Evan Mathis, who is the subject of trade attempts by Chip Kelly, isn't present Monday, per Rapoport.
»The Detroit Lions have nearly 100 percent participation on the first day of voluntary workouts, the team's official website reports. The only player missing is James Ihedigbo.
»Rapoport reports Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown will not be attending voluntary conditioning, per a source informed of Brown's plans. He is seeking a new contract.
»Cleveland Browns safety Tashaun Gipson is not present at the team's voluntary workouts on Monday, Rapoport reports. Gipson has yet to sign his restricted free agency tag. As expected, Browns quarterback Johnny Manzielis present at the team's conditioning session, a team source told Rapoport.
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