Martellus Bennett Claimed Off Waivers By Patriots, Has Torn Rotator Cuff

Martellus Bennett was released by the Green Bay Packers on Thursday and claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots, but he’ll be sidelined for a while.

Martellus Bennett Injury News

The veteran tight end — who reportedly failed to disclose a physical condition — has been playing with a shoulder injury: a torn rotator cuff and torn labrum.

Bennett attended Patriots practice on Friday.

During Green Bay’s bye week — week 8 — Bennett said on social media that he was “pretty sure” he would retire after this season, but then sustained the shoulder injury following the first practice after the bye.

Packers (4-4, 3rd in NFL North) coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that surgery was being discussed before the Packers released Bennett.

“I’m not going to get into the Patriots claiming Marty, I’ll just reiterate what I said yesterday: I just know what the facts are and how the timeline came about,” McCarthy said. “I talked to him Tuesday [following the bye week] after practice and he [had] a shoulder concern injury. I advised him to get the second opinions. He did that and he went to a number of them. The last medical conversation I was involved with in regards to Marty, they were talking about scheduling surgery. After that, then you have the termination and then the claim. I really don’t have any comments on that. I’ve answered the question for the last time, respectfully.”

Bennett played for the Patriots in 2016. He had 55 catches for 701 yards and 7 touchdowns for the team that campaign, which ended with a historic, comeback overtime Super Bowl victory.

The 30-year-old tight end has also played for the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, and Chicago Bears.

Instead of re-signing Bennett as a free agent this offseason, the Patriots (6-2) chose to trade for Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen, who has not recorded a catch in eight games this season.

In claiming Bennett, the Patriots inherit the three-year, $21 million contract that he had signed with the Packers. If the Patriots don’t pick up a $2 million bonus early in the 2018 league year, Bennett would become a free agent again.

Caption:SAN DIEGO, CA – NOVEMBER 09: Martellus Bennett #83 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on November 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)