Instead of hanging out with his fellow owners in Boca Raton this week, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has a date with the doctor.

Here's what to make of Richardson's absence from the NFL's annual spring meetings:
 

Health Before Work

 

A sore knee and shoulder have made travel difficult for Richardson and doctors didn't want to wait any longer to fix his shoulder. So he'll have surgery while Panthers President Danny Morrison fills his role in Florida.

For what it's worth, Richardson had to miss the 2009 meetings for something much more serious. Those were held eight weeks after he had a heart transplant.

 

Some Could Assume It's a Dig at Fellow Owners

 

Richardson's famous — or to some, infamous — for putting "the shield" ahead of his own team's interests. But that won't stop speculation he's sitting these meetings out because he's irked at his colleagues.

Richardson was on the losing end of the Los Angeles relocation tug-of-war, and it's fair to assume that upset him at least a bit. But considering how much the league means to him, it's unlikely he's staying home to pout.

 

It Doesn't Matter All That Much

 

News over the next three days should be fairly limited.

Owners will decide a few issues, including 19 proposed rule changes, but there's nothing groundbreaking on the agenda. And with Richardson currently serving on just one committee, his presence isn't necessary.

Plus, he'll certainly be around for the league's next meetings. Those are scheduled at the end of May in Charlotte.