Stephon Gilmore is back in the fold with the Buffalo Bills.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the veteran cornerback will show up for this week's mandatory minicamp, per a source informed of his plans. Gilmore sat out of Buffalo's organized team activities while mired in long-term contract talks with the front office.
Rapoport noted in May that negotiations weren't particularly contentious. General manager Doug Whaley also said this offseason that he was "actively" trying to extend Gilmore, but The Buffalo News reported Saturday that a new deal "does not appear imminent."
Entering the final year of his rookie pact, Gilmore -- who underwent shoulder surgery in December -- is set to cost $11 million against the salary cap. He rolls into September as an unquestioned starter across from the talented Ronald Darby.
Whaley has made it a priority to re-sign his own key players, handing out rich deals to left tackle Cordy Glenn and defensive lineman Marcell Dareus. With the value coach Rex Ryan places on cornerbacks, we'd expect something to get done with Gilmore in time, but these are the kind of talks that could stretch into the season.
Other items from this week's rash of mandatory minicamps:
- Rob Gronkowski was on hand for New England's Monday session. The Patriots tight end was a ghost during offseason workouts as the team hoped to keep him healthy, but Gronk insisted over the weekend that he and the Patriots are "on the same page."
- Not the case in Miami, where safety Reshad Jones is taking his offseason holdout to the next level. Rapoport reported Monday that Jones plans to sit out this week's mandatory Dolphins practices as part of his quest for a new long-term deal. Jones is reportedly seeking more than $10 million per year.
- Bears wideout Alshon Jeffery reported to Chicago's minicamp, saying: "I feel great to be back with my teammates and I look forward to competing." Barring a new deal, Jeffery will play out the season under the terms of his franchise tag.
- Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short also arrived for Monday's mandatory practice after skipping OTAs last week, Rapoport was told. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Short and the team are expected to hammer out a new contract before training camp.
- Over in Detroit, Rapoport reported that Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch is excused from mandatory minicamp. His impending release is expected to come in the next few weeks.
