The Facts: All signs point to Cook being a full participant when training camp begins in late July. He has been doing some work on the field since spring drills began April 16, and athletic trainer Eric Sugarman expressed continued optimism Tuesday about his recovery. “Really, Dalvin’s knocked the rehab out of the park,” Sugarman said. “He’s done a great job. He’s been here every day since the injury occurred post-surgery. … He’ll participate in (organized team activities and minicamp) on a limited basis. ... Then the plan is for him, hopefully when he gets to training camp. ... He’ll be a participant just like everybody else.” Reported by the St. Paul Pioneer-Press

Diehards Line: Cook tore the ACL in his left knee in a Week 4 game last October and missed the rest of his rookie season. Taken in the second round of the 2017 draft, Cook was injured when he went down without contact against Detroit. Since then, he’s been optimistic about making it all the way back. Cook said it’s “great” being back on the field with his teammates during spring drills. Fantasy owners will feel great if Cook makes good on participating in training camp. Stay tuned.

The Facts: The Vikings officially began spring workouts on April 16. Cousins started his two weeks earlier. He didn’t waste any time getting to know some of his new teammates, bringing wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs to Atlanta to hang out in early April. “Stef and Adam came down and spent a couple of days together, and I thought that was productive,” Cousins said Tuesday. “More than just the football. Just to get to know one another a little and build somewhat of a foundation before we started with the whole crew.” Reported by the St. Paul Pioneer-Press

Diehards Line: Vikings players can’t work with coaches on the field until next week at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, but Cousins has been able to spend plenty of time with his new teammates. He called it a “process” becoming a team leader, acknowledging it can’t be “forced.” Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph, though, already sees Cousins commanding respect. “He’s a great leader,” Rudolph said. “You can just see that kind of naturally he has that aura about him.” Cousins threw for more than 25 touchdowns and 4,000 yards in each of the past three seasons with the Washington Redskins. His average annual salary of $28 million with the Vikings is the highest in NFL history.

The Facts: Jerry Jones made it clear that Dez Bryant won’t be returning to Dallas. He also made it clear that the decision was his. The Cowboys owner refuted the receiver’s claim that “Garrett’s Guys” played a part in his departure. “I don’t [have any feelings] at all. I just don’t because it was not the case,” Jones said. “Dez is a loved player on this team. Everybody had the right perspective in their respect for him. So that’s as I know it and the sentiment that that might imply was not a factor in my decision — at all.” Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: As NFL.com notes, Bryant has not found much interest on the open market, with even the Ravens now out of the market for his services. He would have found more interest earlier in free agency, but the Cowboys had no reason to move on earlier.“I have no thoughts about the timing about when we decided to move on,” Jones said. “For everyone concerned, that was as a good a time as any. ... And because he has really been so notable relative to our team, I think a nice crisp time to call it a day is a way to do this. I thought it was the case when we discussed his future with the Cowboys.” In other words, Jones said the Cowboys have made their decision and moved on, and moved on not just because of the $12.5 million base salary Bryant carried. Bryant will not return at a reduced rate.

The Facts: HC Doug Marrone has made it clear all offseason what Jacksonville needs from Bortles come September: A tangible uptick in play. "We're looking to see great improvement from him going into this next season," Marrone said at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, days after the team laced Bortles with a three-year, $54 million extension packed with $26.5 million in guarantees. Marrone echoed those words in March at the Owners Meetings -- and again on Tuesday. "By being rewarded a contract -- like I always tell the players -- you get rewarded with that contract, obviously, we expect something in return and we expect you to make a big jump again this year," Marrone said of his fifth-year signal-caller. Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line: Bortles played with determination down the stretch, shrugging off endless quips from the media to guide Jacksonville within a hair of the Super Bowl. Marrone on Tuesday pinpointed where he noticed a positive shift in his quarterback's play. Entering the team's Week 8 bye, the Jaguars finally had a chance to "really implement a full installation, a full season of what we wanted to get done from an offensive standpoint." The Jaguars pulled themselves out of the Kirk Cousins derby and seem to have little interest in trading up for a passer in this week's draft. None of this precludes the club from adding competition, but Jacksonville is married to Bortles for at least another season.

The Facts: Speaking publicly for the first time since Meredith left the Bears, Bears GM Ryan Pace hinted that the wide receiver's serious knee injury, suffered last preseason, was the overriding factor in Chicago's letting him go. "Without getting into specifics, obviously he was coming off an injury," Pace said. Reported by ESPN.com

Diehards Line: "We lean on our training staff and our docs. Hey, I got a lot of respect for Cam and a lot of respect for the organization he went to. We wish him luck." Meredith missed the entire 2017 season after he tore knee ligaments in Chicago's third preseason game at Tennessee last summer. Meredith, 25, led the Bears with 66 receptions, 888 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2016, signed an offer sheet with the Saints. The Bears declined to match it. It should be noted the Saints felt comfortable enough with Meredith's medical information to offer him a two-year deal that included $5.350 million.

The Facts: Gronkowski announced on Instagram that he met with Bill Belichick to tell him he’s in for 2018. "I met with coach today and informed him I will be back for the 2018 season with the Pats. I have been working out, staying in shape and feel great. Looking forward to another championship run," the star tight end said in his post. Reported by NBCSports.com

Diehards Line: Indeed, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Gronkowski and his agent Drew Rosenhaus met today with Belichick, and told him that Gronkowski is playing this season for the Patriots. “It was very positive and Rob is committed,” Rosenhaus said. ... A more detailed version of this story is now available HERE.

The Facts: The Dolphins announced they have exercise their option on Parker‘s contract. The option, which is guaranteed against injury only, will come with a salary somewhere north of $9 million. Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: If Parker plays out the year under the option, it will set the Dolphins up to make another call on the long-term future of one of their wide receivers. They used the franchise tag on Jarvis Landry this offseason, but wound up trading him to the Browns rather than keep him in Miami. Landry later signed a five-year extension worth up to $75 million in Cleveland. As PFT notes, Parker hasn’t matched the kind of production that Landry had during his time in Miami. Annual doses of offseason optimism about what Parker can do haven’t stopped him from missing time with injuries and his 139 catches for 1,908 yards and eight touchdowns had him firmly in a complementary role for Landry the last few years. We'll see if he can get on track this season.

The Facts: According to Art Stapleton of the Bergen Record, Perkins was a bystander during today’s minicamp because of a pectoral injury suffered while training, and his left arm was in a sling. Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: There was no word about the extent of the injury, or whether it happened during the Giants program or when he was working on his own beforehand. In his absence, Wayne Gallman and free agent pickup Jonathan Stewart alternated with the starters in practice. The Giants appear to be considering running back Saquon Barkley with the second pick, which would make a lot of the running back issues there moot. But Perkins was plagued by injuries last year and managed just 41 carries for 90 yards in 11 games.

The Facts: Luck was on the field when Indianapolis kicked off its voluntary minicamp Tuesday, dressed in his uniform and helmet. However, reporters present noted that Luck did not throw or even catch during warmups as he continues to rehab his shoulder. Reported by The Sporting News

Diehards Line: Luck missed the entire 2017 season and a large chunk of 2016 with a lingering shoulder injury. Despite still not throwing NFL-sized footballs, he indicated earlier this month that his recovery process is moving along well. "If I wasn't making progress, it would freak me out and we would have to change something," Luck said. "But I am." While there is still no timetable for his return, Luck is optimistic he will enter training camp without any limitations. ... We'll be watching for signs of that over the coming weeks.

The Facts: Jones has yet to join the Falcons for offseason workouts, according to multiple sources, and the deletion of Falcons photos from his Instagram page fueled speculation of unrest between Jones and the team. Jones was not with his teammates when the Falcons officially began offseason workouts last week but was expected back this week. He wasn't present, however, when the players returned to the field Monday. Reported by ESPN.com

Diehards Line: The team said the deletion of the Falcons photos had to do with Jones wanting a "fresh start' on social media and nothing more. One source told ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure, the Instagram issue was to set an example for Alabama players. Beyond that, the five-time Pro Bowler signed a five-year, $71.25 million extension ($47 million guaranteed) in August 2015 and still has three years and $34.43 million left on the deal. His average from the deal -- $14.25 million -- falls below the averages for Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown ($17 million per year), Tampa Bay's Mike Evans ($16.5 million), Houston's DeAndre Hopkins ($16.2 million), Kansas City's Sammy Watkins ($16 million) and Cincinnati's A.J. Green ($15 million). According to McClure, the Falcons have prioritized signing QB Matt Ryan to an extension this offseason. Meanwhile, the Falcons have said it is important to have Jones healthy this offseason to put in the practice time with Ryan. Jones is working out with Hall of Fame receiver Terrell Owens. Jones' absence from the team will become more of a concern if he's not around for mandatory minicamp, June 12-14. ... We'll be watching for more.