Even Super Bowl heroes apparently get punished by Bill Belichick.
Malcolm Butler missed a flight before the New England Patriots’ first organized team activities session, which led Belichick to hold the cornerback out of practice for three weeks, a team source told the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe. Masslive.com’s Kevin Duffy reported Wednesday morning that Butler’s absence from the first two OTA sessions open to the media was not injury related.
Butler missed the flight because of weather issues, Howe reported Wednesday. Butler was set to arrive in New England the day before OTAs began on May 18, and he contacted the team to let them know his flight had been canceled.
Butler is expected to be back on the field Thursday during the final OTA session open to the media, according to Howe. Butler has been around the facility, attending meetings, film sessions and weight room workouts, Howe reported.
Butler’s absence from the voluntary practices has given cornerbacks Logan Ryan, Bradley Fletcher, Robert McClain, Darryl Roberts and Daxton Swanson increased reps. The Patriots also signed veteran cornerback Derek Cox on Monday.
Thumbnail photo via Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Images
