Back to work.
Twenty-seven NFL teams will hold organized team practice activities (OTAs) this week, with the majority of those clubs beginning their workouts on Tuesday. The Bengals, Bills, Broncos, Browns, Buccaneers, Chiefs, Colts, Cowboys, Dolphins, Eagles, Falcons, 49ers, Giants, Jets, Lions, Packers, Panthers, Patriots, Raiders, Ravens, Redskins, Saints, Seahawks, Steelers, Texans, Titans and Vikings will hold OTAs, with all having multiple days of work this week.
Four clubs -- the Bills, Browns, Chiefs and Eagles -- will be wrapping up their OTAs this week. All that’s left for them is to hold a mandatory minicamp in June.
OTAs are lightly padded practices in which live contact is prohibited. Still, the risk of injury isn’t lost on anyone, and several teams have already lost players to injuries that could cost them some or all of the 2013 season, with 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (Achilles) and Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (knee) two examples of the price that can be paid any time players step on the field.
At their best, OTAs are greatly fruitful for players and teams -- and blissfully uneventful on the injury front.