IRVING, Texas -- When the Dallas Cowboys open training camp July 30 in Oxnard, Calif., do not look for cornerback Mike Jenkins to be on the practice field.
Executive vice president Stephen Jones said Jenkins "more than likely" will start out on the physically unable to perform list.
Jenkins is recovering from major right shoulder surgery in early January. Coach Jason Garrett said Jenkins’ operation was more “complicated” than some of the other players who required shoulder surgery, like running back Felix Jones, safety Barry Church and linebackers Dan Connor and Alex Albright.
Jenkins played with a dislocated shoulder and also had a severe labrum tear. He has conducted most of his rehabilitation in Florida as he has stayed away from the voluntary offseason program and organized team activities.
Jenkins will be required to report to training camp July 25 with other injured players, rookies and quarterbacks.
If Jenkins opens camp on PUP, he would have to pass a physical before he is cleared to practice. At the end of training camp, the Cowboys would have to make a decision to activate him or place him on reserve/PUP, which would keep Jenkins out of the first six games. The Cowboys went through the same process with linebacker Bruce Carter last year.
Jones said the team has encouraged Jenkins to remain in the area after the final minicamp practice tomorrow to continue his rehab, but he is not sure the cornerback will stay.
Update: A source told ESPNDallas' Calvin Watkins Jenkins doesn't plan on staying in the Dallas area to continue his rehab.
Jenkins, who declined comment Tuesday and was not available Wednesday, is unhappy with the contract status as well as the team’s decision to trade up for Morris Claiborne and sign Brandon Carr. Through his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, Jenkins requested a trade but the team has said it will not deal him.
“Glad to see him back,” Jones said of Jenkins' attendance at the mandatory minicamp. “Just need to get him healthy and get him going and obviously he can be a great help. Anytime you’ve got a guy who’s been to the Pro Bowl at cornerback in our league, you need him. Hopefully he’ll get going and get his rehab rolling and get to feeling good.”