The former two-time NFL rushing champion signed a one-year franchise offer from the Colts in March that will pay him a little more than $8 million this year.
Colts coach Tony Dungy said the minicamp would continue, with or without James.
"We're missing one guy," Dungy said after Friday's workout. He said he had spoken with James and understood why he hadn't shown up.
"It's a little disappointing to us. We want to have everybody here, but our thing is to focus on the guys who are here," Dungy said. "We're getting a lot of good work and we've got to continue that. When Edgerrin gets here, we'll go from there."
Drew Rosenhaus, James' agent, declined to comment when reached Friday by The Associated Press.
Rosenhaus had said in March that James was "not enthusiastic" about playing under a one-year contract and that he was negotiating with the Colts and other NFL teams.
The contract offer the Colts made to James came after the team had signed quarterback Peyton Manning and wide receiver Marvin Harrison to long-term deals during the previous year.
Manning said Friday he was not surprised by James' absence.
"I understand this is where the business side of it comes in," Manning said. "We certainly expect him to be here when training camp and the regular season comes around."
The Colts are scheduled to start training camp July 27 in Terre Haute.
James, 26, is coming off his best season since tearing a ligament in his left knee in October 2001. James rushed for 1,548 yards and nine touchdowns, caught 51 passes for 483 yards and had a career-high average of 4.6 yards per carry last season.
James is facing a $1,000-a-day fine from the Colts for missing the three-day minicamp at the team's Indianapolis practice complex.
Wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who frequently works out during the offseason with James at the University of Miami, where they both played, said he would not predict anything about the running back's return.
"The only thing I can tell you is he has been preparing himself to be here," Wayne said. "As for does he want to be here and all that? You have to ask him that. But he is working hard and is ready to play." Associated Press
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Colts coach Tony Dungy said the minicamp would continue, with or without James.
"We're missing one guy," Dungy said after Friday's workout. He said he had spoken with James and understood why he hadn't shown up.
"It's a little disappointing to us. We want to have everybody here, but our thing is to focus on the guys who are here," Dungy said. "We're getting a lot of good work and we've got to continue that. When Edgerrin gets here, we'll go from there."
Drew Rosenhaus, James' agent, declined to comment when reached Friday by The Associated Press.
Rosenhaus had said in March that James was "not enthusiastic" about playing under a one-year contract and that he was negotiating with the Colts and other NFL teams.
The contract offer the Colts made to James came after the team had signed quarterback Peyton Manning and wide receiver Marvin Harrison to long-term deals during the previous year.
Manning said Friday he was not surprised by James' absence.
"I understand this is where the business side of it comes in," Manning said. "We certainly expect him to be here when training camp and the regular season comes around."
The Colts are scheduled to start training camp July 27 in Terre Haute.
James, 26, is coming off his best season since tearing a ligament in his left knee in October 2001. James rushed for 1,548 yards and nine touchdowns, caught 51 passes for 483 yards and had a career-high average of 4.6 yards per carry last season.
James is facing a $1,000-a-day fine from the Colts for missing the three-day minicamp at the team's Indianapolis practice complex.
Wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who frequently works out during the offseason with James at the University of Miami, where they both played, said he would not predict anything about the running back's return.
"The only thing I can tell you is he has been preparing himself to be here," Wayne said. "As for does he want to be here and all that? You have to ask him that. But he is working hard and is ready to play." Associated Press
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