Reports: Martellus Bennett, Just Claimed Off Waivers by Patriots, Has Torn Rotator Cuff

Martellus Bennett may not play for the Patriots after they claimed him off waivers.

The Patriots have claimed tight end Martellus Bennett off waivers from the Packers but he may not play for New England this season. 

Bennett has been playing through a torn rotator cuff and torn labrum in his shoulder, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter both report. 

When Bennett was waived by the Packers on Wednesday it was with the designation that he “failed to disclose a physical condition,” which, as Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes, “implies that the injury existed even before he signed as a free agent.”

Bennett passed a physical and joined the Patriots for practice on Friday, a good sign after he missed every practice since the Packers’ Week 8 bye. 

Bennett started the first seven games of the season for Green Bay, catching 24 passes for 233 yards. He missed practice after the Packers returned from their bye week and sat out Monday’s game against the Lions.