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Jared Cook Expected Back For Camp Following Foot Surgery
According to ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky, Jared Cook, the Packers' biggest offseason acquisition this year, underwent foot surgery this week and will miss the rest of the offseason program.

While not flying high on the fantasy football radar, there is some hope that playing with Aaron Rodgers in a more prolific offense could jumpstart the athletic tight end's career.

Demovsky noted the Packers hope that Cook will be back for training camp next month. The surgery was described as "preventative" and something both Cook and the team wanted to take care of now so that it didn't linger into the regular season. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapport, it sounds like Cook could participate in the team's upcoming mini-camp if the Packers wanted to push him.

But they don't.

The Packers gave Cook a one-year, $2.75 million contract after the Los Angeles Rams cut him in February.

Despite a down season in 2015 -- when he caught 39 passes, his fewest since 2010 -- the Packers have big plans for Cook in their offense.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this offseason that his offense needed to find someone, whether it was a big tight end or a big receiver, who can get open down the middle of the field. The 6-5 Cook was that addition.

"Big target -- very, very athletic," McCarthy said last week after the first open OTA practice. "I think anytime if you're just talking purely throwing the football and you've got big targets that can move like he does, he's been an excellent addition. He's been everything we thought he would be."

While incumbent starter Richard Rodgers has shown potential, Profootballtalk.com's Darin Gantt notes that Cook is a more established weapon across the middle of the field, where the Packers are looking for someone to make more plays.

Indeed, Cook has a career average of 12.8 yards per catch. Rodgers averaged just 8.8 yards per catch last season.

"Jared is able to stretch the field a little bit with his little bit [of] extra speed," Rodgers said last week. "I'm excited to get him up and going and get to these installs and see what he can do even more."

Rodgers will be the 12th quarterback to throw Cook a pass in the NFL. Before him, the best probably was Matt Hasselbeck. Last year was a low point, however, with Nick Foles and Case Keenum splitting time as the Rams' starter.

It's no surprise Cook's production dipped in 2015, given the Rams struggles. Across the board, the Rams offense was dreadful. They finished 29th in scoring. Last in yards. Last in passing.

Remember, however; Cook surpassed 50 catches in each of his first two seasons in St. Louis. He had 481 yards after receiving more than 600 in his first two years.

Working with Aaron Rodgers clearly gives Cook an edge in getting back on track. Now all he has to do is get healthy.