Malcolm Butler Reportedly Benched by Patriots After Missing Flight

New England Patriots cornerback and Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler was benched and held out of practices for two weeks, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.

Butler was supposed to report to OTAs on May 18, but weather-related issues kept him grounded. Despite him giving the Patriots notice of his travel problems, they still benched him for two weeks. Phil Perry of CSNNE reported Butler was back on the field for the team's third OTA sessions this week:

"I got out here today, feel like I didn’t miss a step. Feel pretty confident," Butler said, according to Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal. 

"Oh most definitely. You take anything from somebody that they love, yeah it was tough," Butler said when asked if it was hard missing practice, according to Daniels. "No not really. Just have to get back in the rhythm of it," he continued, per Daniels. 

Cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer said Butler had a productive offseason, despite missing some reps, according to Perry.  

Despite the harsh punishment, Howe explained that Butler stayed with the team during his suspension.

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"[Butler] has still been at Gillette every day during OTAs, attending all meetings, film sessions and weight room workouts. He has only been kept off the practice field.

The reason for Butler's absences during the two open workouts had been unknown until this development. It's believed Butler will be present tomorrow when the media returns to watch practice."

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"I don’t really have a comment about that. I’m just glad to get back out here, you know, participating, getting better," Butler said when asked about being late, according to Daniels. 

According to Howe, NFL teams advise their players to adjust their travel plans to avoid weather delays.

The NFLPA will be looking into the matter according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network, who had previously provided information on the specific CBA rule in question: 

Breer also added Butler has, "taken this in stride, not rocking the boat, has been at everything since." 

It was Butler's interception in the shadow of their own goal line that helped seal the Patriots' Super Bowl XLIX win over the Seattle Seahawks.

Entering his second season, Butler will look to lead a defensive back core that has lost Darrelle Revis while trying to find a shutdown corner among Logan Ryan and Bradley Fletcher.