FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Patriots DE Michael Bennett has been suspended one week by the organization for conduct detrimental to the team, per reports. Bennett was acquired by New England from the Philadelphia Eagles over the offseason.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Giardi were the first to break the news, which came around 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon.
Bennett, a major offseason acquisition for New England, will reportedly miss MNF against the Jets. @boston25 https://t.co/k7NJcHNGNP
— Dave Souza (@dsouza4717) October 15, 2019
Bennett reportedly told ESPN reporter Jordan Schultz that his suspension is a result of a disagreement the DE had with his positional coach. He then apologized, per the ESPN report.
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
The Patriots defensive line coach is Bret Bielema, who is in his second year with the New England coaching staff, per their website.
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Appearing in all six games for New England this season, but starting in just one, Bennett has amassed 2.5 sacks and five combined tackles while appearing in 36% of the team's defensive snaps this season, according to Pro-Football Reference, an online stat aggregator.
With his suspension, Bennett will not be available to play in the Patriots' Week 7 matchup against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.
Bennett was acquired on March 13, 2019 with a 2020 7th round pick from Philadelphia in exchange for New England's 5th round pick in 2020.
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