Ndamukong Suh skipped the opening two weeks of the Detroit Lions' offseason program, despite his new coach's wishes for him to be there.

And now the Associated Press is reporting Suh also will skip Detroit's voluntary minicamp, which begins Tuesday.

The minicamp, which spans the next three days, is the first opportunity for players to get on-field instruction from the new staff and will be used to continue to implement the new schemes.

Suh has long preferred to work out individually, and that routine has worked well for him. He's made three All-Pro teams in his four-year career, and was a first-teamer last year.

He's received measured support from teammates, including Reggie Bush, who understand that Suh's ongoing contract negotiations could complicate his participation in the voluntary program.

"From what I know, it's a contract thing," Bush said during the opening week of conditioning. "That's the business side of it, and we all go through it. Everyone understands. No one's looking down on him.

"I'm sure as soon as he can be here, he'll be here."

Suh is known for his dogged work ethic, which has made him one of the league's most well-conditioned players. So his teammates and coaches do not worry about his offseason dedication, whether or not he's in Allen Park.

But what worries some is that Suh no longer is just a player, but a defensive captain, and that adds some responsibility for him to be involved in the offseason program.

Detroit also is transitioning to a new system and scheme, a process that has now begun -- and apparently will continue -- without the team's best defensive player.