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Bears reinstate TE Martellus Bennett after suspension

The Bears reinstated tight end Martellus Bennett on Sunday, five days after he was fined and suspended by the team for a fight at practice with rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller.
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The Bearsreinstated tight end Martellus Bennett on Sunday, five days after he was fined and suspended by the team for fighting at practice with rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller, the team's first-round pick in May.

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Bennett was initially unapologetic about the fight, but expressed remorse before Sunday's practice.

"I think I could have handled the situation differently," the 27-year-old said. "Now I understand how they want me to practice. I've always been a guy who practiced hard. I understand what they want from me and [I'll] just do it the way they want it to be done."

Bennett slammed Fuller to the ground at Monday's practice after the rookie brought him down after a reception near the goal line.

Bennett missed two practices and Friday's preseason opener against the Eagles during the five-day suspension.

The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Bennett has 205 receptions for 2,231 yards and 14 touchdowns in six NFL seasons — four for the Cowboys, one with the Giants and one with the Bears. He has missed only four regular-season games in his career.

- Chris Mascaro