Patriots suspend DE Michael Bennett one week for conduct detrimental to team
Saddled with a diminishing role for the New England Patriots, Michael Bennett won't see any action at all this week.
The defensive end confirmed on Tuesday he has been suspended one week for conduct detrimental to the team, leaving him out for Monday night's game against the New York Jets.
“On Friday, I had a philosophical disagreement with my position coach (Bret Bielema) that has led to my suspension," Bennett told ESPN's Jordan Schultz. "I apologize to my teammates for any distraction this may have caused.”
Bennett, an 11th-year veteran, was traded to the Patriots this March. He was a Pro Bowl selection from 2015-17 for the Seattle Seahawks and posted nine sacks for the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
But Bennett has played on just 35.7% of the Patriots' defensive snaps this season, and the his share of the action has dwindled every game from the opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers (55.2%) to last Thursday's contest against the New York Giants (22%).
Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.
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