Patriots Seemingly Bench Veteran For Mid-Week Controversy

FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots appeared to dish out some punishment during Sunday’s matchup with the Buffalo Bills.

Jahlani Tavai was the only active defensive starter to not appear in the first defensive series of the game, with recent signing Monty Rice taking his spot in the lineup. It was the first game this season in which the 28-year-old didn’t start.

Tavai, of course, was involved in a pretty substantial controversy during the week, firing back at fans for their displeasure with how the season has unfolded in a radio spot with WEEI.

“There’s a reason why they’re fans.. in the long end, they’re not qualified to do what (Patriots head coach Jerod) Mayo’s doing,” Tavai said on “The Greg Hill Show.” “… I appreciate them at times, but sometimes they just gotta know their place and understand it’s a work in progress.”

New England wasn’t pleased with that stance, and likely also wasn’t thrilled that he essentially doubled down later in the day.

Tavai returned at the start of the second quarter.