Tight end Martellus Bennett is in news headlines this week after being released by the Green Bay Packers and claimed by the New England Patriots. The Packers released Bennett stating he failed to disclose a shoulder injury prior to signing with the team.
Bennett was quick to fire back that the Packers examined his shoulder in March and gave him clearance. The tight end was also not shy about his feelings towards Packers Dr. McKenzie, who he claims tried to make him play through his injury.
All of this has caught wind very quickly. Now, former Packers defensive back LeRoy Butler has chimed in about how, in his mind, Bennett’s accusations towards Dr. McKenzie are offensive.
@AaronNagler he was very conservative,because he cared about me as a person,I️ am offended that someone would say he made them play injured
— leroy butler (blue check) (@leap36) November 10, 2017
Butler’s comments about the Packers medical staff being conservative are only magnified by this comment by tackle Jahri Evans. Evans spent 11 years with the New Orleans Saints before signing on with the Packers in 2017.
Jahri Evans last week on how #Packers medical staff handles players recovering from injuries: "They’re not really aggressive as far as sending guys back out there there."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) November 10, 2017
Then there’s this, from Jordy Nelson.
— Jordy Nelson (@JordyRNelson) November 10, 2017
Well. There are definitely two sides to this story. Packers players, past and present, are standing up and supporting Dr. McKenzie.
Meanwhile, Bennett took to his Instagram account to completely discredit McKenzie. Bennett has been diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff but was cleared to practice with New England on Friday.
Green Bay is due to potentially reclaim a large portion of Bennett’s signing bonus if it is proven that Bennett did not disclose his shoulder injury, per ESPN.
This is surely not the last we will hear on Bennett’s situation. While the Patriots welcome Bennett back to the team, there a are some fans that suggest Bennett scammed his way out of playing for the Packers in order to return to New England.