Patriots Suspend Michael Bennett 1 Game for Conduct Detrimental to the Team
By Karl Rasmussen
After seeing extremely limited playing time in Week 5, logging just 11 snaps in the win over the Giants, it appears Michael Bennett is in some trouble with the Patriots.
The Patriots have suspended the veteran defensive lineman for a game due to what's being described as "conduct detrimental" to the team, per Ian Rapoport.
#Patriots veteran DL Michael Bennett has been suspended one week by the team for conduct detrimental, per @MikeGiardi and me. He was not at practice today.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 15, 2019
The suspension will keep Bennett out of action for the Patriots' Week 7 clash with the New York Jets, though he will be eligible to return the following week. Bennett was not at Patriots' practice on Tuesday.
The DL has since come out and offered an explanation for his suspension, claiming he had a "philosophical disagreement" with a position coach, resulting in his one-game suspension, per Jordan Schultz.
Just spoke with #Pats DE Michael Bennett, who provided this statement to ESPN re his one-week suspension: “On Friday, I had a philosophical disagreement with my position coach that has led to my suspension. I apologize to my teammates for any distraction this may have caused.”
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 15, 2019
Bennett apologized for the possible distraction the altercation and his subsequent suspension may have occurred.
The 33-year-old will hope to be back on the field when the Pats host the Cleveland Browns in Week 8, and will certainly expect him to be on the field for more than the 11 snaps he saw in Week 6.
In 2019, Bennett has logged one start but appeared in six games. He's recorded 2.5 sacks, five tackles and four QB hits on the year.