Muhammad Wilkerson's 27th birthday was Oct. 22. His Jets teammates got him a cake but, like Milton Waddams of "Office Space" fame, Wilkerson got none.
Wilkerson was late to the team meeting at which his teammates were going to present the cake. When Wilkerson didn't show, the Jets defensive players didn't let the cake go to waste. The meeting was before the team's final walkthrough ahead of New York's Oct. 23 game against the Ravens. Wilkerson skipped the walkthrough altogether, according to NFL Media.
MORE: Best photos from Week 9
"A lot of players were looking at this, saying, 'Where are the repercussions? They could have been fined, but players were wondering when are they going to lose playing time," NFL Media's Mike Garafolo said. "That answer came this past weekend."
Wilkerson and fellow defensive linemen Sheldon Richardson were benched for the first quarter of Sunday's 27-23 loss to the Dolphins. An earlier report from NJ.com said the suspension was because Richardson and Wilkerson were regularly tardy to meetings.
MORE: Chargers' Dexter McCluster broke arm looking for phone
The Jets declined comment to NFL Media and Jets coach Todd Bowles said Wilkerson and Richardson were held out of the first quarter as a "coach's decision" without elaborating.
Before the Jets (3-6) welcome the Rams, it's a safe bet that Richardson and Wilkerson will both be at all meetings and walkthroughs on time. And if there are any loose pages in this week's playbook, maybe Wilkerson will have a Swingline stapler.