TE Bennett disputes Packers’ injury claim
LT Smith out for Dallas; Chiefs DT Miller arrested.
Martellus Bennett is disputing the reason the Packers cited in releasing the tight end this week.
The team cited a “failure to disclose a physical condition” as the reason for the move. The Patriots claimed Bennett on Thursday, a day after he was waived.
Bennett said in a post Friday on Instagram 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 and that he asked to have it checked after the Oct. 8 game against the Cowboys.
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 who said he needed to have the shoulder fixed.
During the bye week after the Oct. 22 loss to New Orleans, Bennett also posted a message on Instagram that indicated he was contemplating retirement.
Bennett took part in the first practice after the bye. But he went on the injury report at midweek before the loss Monday night to the Lions and did not play.
Bennett says the Packers “panicked” thinking he was trying to go on injured reserve and “be on their books next year . ... This was all about money.”
Bennett practiced Friday on his first day with his new team and is listed as questionable for the Patriots’ game tonight at Denver.
Cowboys: Left tackle Tyron Smith will miss today’s game against the Falcons because of back and groin injuries. A four-time Pro Bowl selection who protects quarterback Dak Prescott’s blind side, Smith has been battling back issues since last season, when he missed three games. The 26-year-old injured a groin last weekend.
Chaz Green will make his sixth career start.
Chiefs: Defensive tackle Roy Miller was arrested Saturday in Florida on a domestic battery charge, according to Duval County jail records. Miller was jailed shortly before 5 a.m. by the Jacksonville Sheriff ’s Office. The incident involved a minor injury, but no other details were available about the alleged battery. Miller was scheduled to appear before a judge later Saturday. The Chiefs, who are off this week, said in a statement to The Associated Press that they were aware of the incident and gathering facts.
The 30-year-old Miller, who was drafted out of Texas by the Bucs, spent the past four seasons with the Jaguars.
Bengals: Placed running back Jeremy Hill on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Hill, a second-round pick in 2014, had only 116 rushing yards despite starting seven games. The move likely brings Hill’s time in Cincinnati to an end. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent.
Lions: Activated tackle Taylor Decker from the physically-unable-to-perform list for today’s game against Cleveland. Decker has been out all season because of a shoulder injury. He started every game for the Lions as a rookie last season after being drafted in the first round.
Dolphins: Right tackle Ja’Wuan James (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve. Jesse Davis, who has two career starts, takes over Monday at Carolina.
Safety T.J. McDonald was activated from the reserve-suspended list and is expected to play.
Jets: Promoted wide receiver-punt returner JoJo Natson from the practice squad for today’s game at Tampa Bay. Natson will help replace Jeremy Kerley, who was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancers.
Friday’s Games Saturday’s Games
(At) Bucks 98 Lakers 90: Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 for Milwaukee to offset a triple-double by Los Angeles’ Lonzo Ball (17 points, 13 assists, 12 rebounds).
(At) Wizards 113, Hawks 94: Bradley Beal scored 19 points for Washington, while Atlanta had 24 turnovers.
(At) Pelicans 111, Clippers 103: DeMarcus Cousins had 35 points and 15 rebounds for New Orleans, and Anthony Davis added 25 points and 10 rebounds.
(At) Rockets 111, Grizzlies 96: James Harden’s 38 points sparked Houston’s wire-to-wire victory.
(At) Knicks 118, Kings 91: New York’s Kristaps Porzingis returned after a one-game injury absence to score 34.
(At) Spurs 133, Bulls 94: LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 points and 10 rebounds to help San Antonio win despite still missing several top stars.
(At) Warriors 135, 76ers 114: Kevin Durant returned from missing a game with a leg injury to score 29 as Golden State won its sixth straight.
Cavaliers 111, (at) Mavericks 104: Kevin Love had 29 points and 15 rebounds for Cleveland.
Nets at Jazz: Late
Timberwolves at Suns: Late
Magic at Nuggets: Late
NBA notes
Celtics: Point guard Kyrie Irving has a broken bone in his face and is doubtful for the next game, but the team called the fracture minor.
Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard was icing his left hand in the locker room following Friday’s loss to Brooklyn.
Clippers: Guard Patrick Beverley sat out Friday with a sore right knee, and forward Danilo Gallinari missed the game with a strained left glute.