They're on the premises. They're in the building. They're in uniform, even. They've reported.
But now that Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski have re-joined their teammates one day before the start of mandatory minicamp -- taking part in a fantasy camp at the Empower Field House -- it's fair to wonder what practices on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Gillette Stadium will look like.
Brady and Gronkowski have missed all of the voluntary workouts held by their team since mid-April. In terms of sheer hours put in this spring with Patriots coaches and fellow players, they're behind.