NFL news and notes: Baker Mayfield expected back after bye; Michael Bennett suspended

Kirstie Chiappelli

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NFL news and notes: Baker Mayfield expected back after bye; Michael Bennett suspended image

We dive into the biggest headlines from around the NFL in the latest edition of NFL news and notes.

Three things that matter

Michael Bennett suspended Week 7

Eyebrows were raised when the Patriots defensive end was absent from practice Tuesday, and it was later reported he was banned for one week due to conduct detrimental to the team.

Bennett, an 11-year veteran who was traded to New England in March, later addressed the situation and clarified the origin of the ban.

"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," he told ESPN.

Bennett has played on just 35.7 percent of the Patriots' defensive snaps this season and won't be able to return until Week 8 against the Browns.

Freddie Kitchens confident Baker Mayfield will be healthy after bye

The Browns quarterback injured his hip in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks on a scramble, but his coach shut down any doubt regarding his availability for the team's matchup against the Patriots after their bye week.

"He’ll be in better shape physically and he’ll be in a better place mentally, too," Kitchens told reporters.

The Browns held Mayfield out of practice Tuesday as a precaution, but Kitchens assured there's "no doubt" he'll be 100 percent ready to face New England in Foxboro on Oct. 27. 

Akiem Hicks hits IR with elbow injury

The Bears defensive tackle initially suffered the injury in the team's Week 5 loss to the Raiders in London and will now miss the next eight weeks at least, though Bears coach Matt Nagy left the door open for him to potentially return later this season. Hicks had six tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, and one tackle-for-loss through four games before getting hurt.

The move comes one day after the team placed right guard Kyle Long on injured reserve as he continues to deal with a hip injury. It's certainly not ideal with the team slated to host the 5-1 Saints in Week 6.

Two things that don't matter

Controversial Lions-Packers ending discussed at league meetings in Florida

Nothing can be done at this point, but the NFL appeared to at least acknowledge the magnitude of the mistakes made Monday night as NFL vice president of operations Troy Vincent noted the second hands to the face call on Lions defensive lineman Trey Flowers is "not something that you want to see called."

Vincent added he would reach out to Lions owner Martha Ford and general manager Bob Quinn to personally relay the message.

The league's allowance of instant replay to review pass interference this season was also discussed, though NFL competition committee chairman Rich McKay declined to discuss whether it's actually working.

"I don’t think we would give a summation of whether a rule that’s been in place for six weeks is working or not working," McKay told reporters.

Rob Gronkowski dismisses idea of NFL return

There's been speculation over whether the former tight end will return to the NFL, but he recently gave his most definitive answer yet.

"I'll give an answer. When I retired, I retired for a reason: because I needed to step away," Gronkowski said, per NBC Sports. "So it would be a no. There it is." 

Gronkowski had left the door open for a potential return to the field when he made his debut as Fox's newest NFL analyst last week, though he appears to have shut it again.

"I never say no, because I've said no, and everyone's like, 'Yeah, he's kidding. He's coming back,'" Gronkowski said. "But it's a no. In my mind, that's how it is. It's a no.

"I'm very satisfied where I'm at. I say it all the time: I would have never left the game if I was going to be itching every single day. I've said that before, many times.

"I had those thoughts, too. 'Would I be missing it?' And I just knew that it needed to be done. I'm very satisfied where I'm at."

One video you have to see

Tom Brady seemed happy to have a couple of his weapons back.

Tuesday's tweet of the day

Steelers recevier JuJu Smith-Schuster got to go back to his roots after playing the Chargers in Los Angeles.

 

Kirstie Chiappelli