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It doesn't appear Ed Reed will participate in this weekend's mandatory team minicamp, but his likely absence isn't a reason for Ravens fans to worry.
If anything, it's actually a positive sign.
Reed underwent a "procedure" in his hip area this offseason, according to multiple reports. The six-time Pro Bowl safety missed four games late last season because of a lingering hip injury, and the procedure likely was an attempt to finally get rid of whatever was ailing him.
Despite Reed's claim that he was considering retirement after the Ravens' playoff loss to the Colts, team officials have said all offseason that they expect Reed to return for the 2010 season, and there hasn't been any reason to doubt them.
But this "procedure" all but guarantees that Reed will, in fact, play this year. He might need some time to recover during the offseason (it's unknown how much time Reed will miss), but he clearly has the motivation to get healthy and get back on the field this upcoming season.
Reed has taken things slow in the offseason in recent years, wearing a red "no contact" jersey in training camp to make sure that he doesn't aggravate previous injuries. This offseason will likely be no different.
The Ravens have been fine with Reed's offseason practice schedule in the past, and they surely will be OK with it now. As long as Reed says he'll play in 2010, coaches and fans will take whatever offseason workouts their star safety can give them.
