BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Tight end Martellus Bennett has been suspended indefinitely by the Bears after an altercation in practice the day before.
General manager Phil Emery says the team “made a decision to fine and suspend Martellus Bennett for an undetermined length of time,” though he wouldn’t specify the amount of the fine.
On Monday, Bennett was taken to the ground Monday with a grab to the shoulder by rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller. The play occurred during a full-pad scrimmage when players are not supposed to be taken to the ground. Bennett responded by getting up, grabbing the first-round draft pick and slamming him to the ground.
Emery wouldn’t go into specifics about why the decision was made, saying only, “He was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.”
Neither Emery nor coach Marc Trestman would characterize it as making an example of Bennett, who has been involved in several practice scrapes this training camp, and a few last year, as well.
“I play hard, go hard every single day,” Bennett said Monday after practice. “I’m probably one of the most violent people on the field. That’s just my style of play. That’s how I play. I’m going to continue to play the way I play. That’s what I’m here for.
“I’m not really here . everybody’s talking about friendships. Really, we’re all preparing for a championship. If we make friends along the way, that’s cool. But at the end of the day, I’m just trying to help the Bears win a championship and the do the job to the best of my ability.”
When asked by reporters about the possibility of a fine, Benentt said, “I can afford it. I don’t see what he can fine me for on that.”
Bennett will not be with the team at camp until the suspension is lifted.
“I’ll be talking with him today,” Trestman said. “We’ve got a plan and a process in place. We want to go through this process and when the time is right he’ll be back.”
Fuller was not punished for the incident.
“It’s a tough situation,” quarterback Jay Cutler said. “I thought Kyle did a great job of handling himself.”
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall was seen shouting at Bennett after the incident in Monday’s practice. Marshall did not practice Tuesday, but Trestman called it a coach’s decision to give him rest and not punishment for the words he had with Bennett. Dante Rosario and Zach Miller filled in at Bennett’s spot Tuesday.
“Things happen during these moments and nothing of it has lingered with our football team,” Trestman said. “We had one of our better practices today.”
NOTES: WR Marquess Wilson broke his collarbone in Monday’s practice and had surgery Tuesday. Trestman said the Bears would be looking to fill his roster spot with a signing, while also weighing the skills of the other receivers. … DE Jared Allen missed a third straight practice for what Trestman called “family reasons.” … CB Tim Jennings continued missing practice with a quad injury … CB Isaiah Frey left Tuesday’s practice with a hamstring pull. … RT Jordan Mills left toward the end of Tuesday’s practice with foot soreness.
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