IRVING, Texas -- As the Dallas Cowboys participated in 11-on-11 team drills during Tuesday's first day of organized team activities, Morris Claiborne stood by himself off in the distance.
The third-year cornerback did not participate because the team is being cautious with the former sixth overall pick.
"I'm feeling better than ever," Claiborne said. "They're sitting me out, just as a precaution. I can't control it, so I'm just doing what they ask me to do, until I'm free, [until] they let me loose.
"I feel like I'm ready to go, but I got to do what those guys tell me."
Claiborne had off-season surgery on his left shoulder and his left pinkie finger. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Claiborne was limited to individual drills because that's how they treat any player coming off surgery.
"He's done a great job this off-season of coming back," Garrett said. "He looks physically stronger to us. He's moving around really well. We just want to do the right thing by him as we get going in these OTAs."
Claiborne said he added muscle during off-season workouts but also "trimmed down a little bit."
"Last year, I tried to gain weight and that didn't work out," Claiborne said. "I gained and didn't play, so I'm just trying to stay slim and stay where I can move and stay fast."
In his two seasons with the Cowboys, Claiborne has been hampered by several injuries. He missed off-season time during his rookie year after having surgery on his left wrist. He then missed a December game with a concussion.
Last year, Claiborne missed all of the preseason with a jammed left knee. He then missed six games during the 2013 season because of hamstring injuries and a dislocated shoulder.
"I'm not frustrated," Claiborne said. "I'm not frustrated at all. It's one of those things you can't control, so all I can do is do what I can, and that's continue working out, continue getting stronger, doing what's asked of me."
