Don't look for Vontaze Burfict to be suspended for hit on Martellus Bennett

Don’t expect Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict to face another suspension for his low hit on New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett.

The replay looks bad. Burfict has a history, leading to a three-game suspension earlier this year for multiple violations of the NFL’s safety rules. And depending whom you asked in the Patriots’ locker room Sunday, the hit on Bennett may have led to tempers flaring late in the game.

But the most likely outcome for Burfict is a fine – if he’s disciplined at all – after the NFL completes its review of the play, which happens as part of normal procedure with any questionable hit.

“He apologized,” Bennett said of Burfict, who made contact with the back of Bennett’s left knee. “He said he didn’t try to do it. But it’s part of the game. Stuff happens.”

Bennett said fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski told him, “Bro, I got you” after the play – which would partly explain Gronk and Burfict butting heads and Gronkowski eventually getting a taunting penalty as the Patriots pulled away in the fourth quarter.

Asked directly if the hit on Bennett influenced what happened, Gronkowski said he hadn’t seen it. “I’ve got to watch it now,” Gronkowski said. “I don’t even know what play it was. … It didn’t affect anything.”