IRVING, Texas - Usually, the biggest question for the Cowboys during the week they leave for camp is not so much "if" but "when" the draft picks get signed.
While that remains an uncertainty for the team, which departs for Oxnard, Calif. on Thursday, a more pressing question reverts back to the ongoing Terry Glenn saga.
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips told reporters on Monday he is unsure whether the wide receiver will accompany the team to training camp this week, but is optimistic.
"Hopefully it'll get resolved at some time before training camp, and hopefully he's healthy, ready to go," Phillips said Monday at the Cowboys' annual coaches clinic at Texas Stadium. "That's what we're looking forward to. He could be a great bonus. Everybody said when he got hurt last year it was going to really bring us down, but we set all the records. But we still would've liked to have him. Same thing this year - still like to have him."
Both offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and quarterback Tony Romo said on Monday they are hoping for the best, which to them would include Glenn on the practice field.
However, one of Glenn's teammates had a somewhat stronger opinion on the matter.
A fellow wide receiver, who asked not to be identified, said he spoke to Glenn just a few days ago and is expecting him to join the Cowboys for the start of camp.
"I'm not a betting man, but I'd bet a million bucks that he'd be there," said the player, who noted that Glenn looked rather sharp on the racquetball court just recently.
But for Glenn to return, he will likely have to sign the $500,000 injury settlement the Cowboys drew up for him, which protects the club from paying Glenn's $1.74 million base salary should the wide receiver re-injure his right knee.
Glenn initially balked at signing the injury waiver, even telling reporters within the last two months that he had no intention of doing so. But, with his options of signing with another team dwindling with training camps expected to begin around the NFL this week, Glenn may be changing his tune.
Glenn initially suffered the injury during the first week of training camp last year in San Antonio. While the early prognosis was that he would only miss a few weeks, he ended up sitting out the first 15 games after undergoing a pair of arthroscopic surgeries.
His only action was four plays during the season finale at Washington and then the majority of the playoff loss to the Giants two weeks later.
In the offseason, Glenn decided not to have the microfracture surgery that likely would've ended any chance for him to play this season and, with Glenn set to turn 34 this Wednesday, might have ended his career, too. But obviously, Glenn still has the desire to play, which is the main reason he has spent this summer rehabbing to strengthen his knee.
While Phillips called a potential Glenn return a "bonus," Garrett said he couldn't agree more.
"Terry Glenn's a guy that we're all excited to get a chance to work with," Garrett said. "He's worked incredibly hard since I've been around him the last year and a half, and he's a guy that worked really hard to get back last year. I know he's continued to work hard this offseason. There are a lot of things that go into those decisions. We certainly hope he's in the fold."
Not only does the guy calling the plays want it, but the player throwing passes would like to see Glenn out there, too.
"I hope he comes back and plays," said Romo. "I know he's a talented player. I hope he's there Thursday."
From the head coach and offensive coordinator to the quarterback, Glenn seems wanted.
But it's not always that easy. There are decisions that must be made from both sides. With time running out, at least a final decision should be revealed here in the upcoming future.
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Nick Eatman - 
