Patriots’ Bennett blasts ex-team

Martellus Bennett is disputing the reason that the Green Bay Packers cited in releasing the tight end this week.

The New England Patriots claimed Bennett on Thursday, a day after he was waived by the Packers. The team cited a “failure to disclose a physical condition” as the reason for the move.

Bennett said in a lengthy post Friday on Instagram that the Packers examined his shoulder when he signed as a free agent in March and cleared him. Bennett says his shoulder got worse during the season.

Bennett says he chose to have surgery but the Packers team physician, Pat McKenzie, “didn’t make me feel safe and was pushing to play.” Bennett says he got three other opinions that said he needed to have the shoulder fixed.

Bennett, who did not play in last Monday’s loss to Detroit, says that the Packers “panicked” thinking that he was trying to go on injured reserve and “be on their books next year. This was all about money.”

Bennett is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Further review

The NFL confirmed it is reviewing whether Seattle followed proper concussion protocol with quarterback Russell Wilson.

An NFL spokesman said Friday that the league is conducting a “thorough review” of whether the Seahawks followed the protocols when Wilson was sent off the field during Seattle’s 22-16 win over Arizona.

In that same game, Seattle lost cornerback Richard Sherman for the rest of the season after he ruptured an Achilles tendon.

Etc.

Detroit released injured offensive tackle Greg Robinson, who was acquired from the Rams last summer. ... Cincinnati receiver A.J. Green was fined $42,541 by the NFL for fighting with Jacksonville cornerback Jalen Ramsey on Sunday. Several other players were fined lesser amounts for other infractions . ... Arizona lost its best offensive lineman, D.J. Humphries, and its leading tackler, Tyvon Branch, to season-ending injuries they suffered in the Seattle game.