Report: Bengals don't expect Burfict suspension for conduct vs. Patriots
Vontaze Burfict may have avoided another major penalty for his on-field conduct.
The Cincinnati Bengals aren't expecting the standout linebacker to receive a suspension for a Week 6 play where he appeared to stomp on the leg of New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount, ESPN's Ed Werder reports.
Related - Watch: Film reveals Burfict intentionally stomping Blount's leg
The NFL also reviewed another play from the game in which Burfict went low to hit tight end Martellus Bennett when the ball was thrown elsewhere.
Burfict was suspended for the first three games of the regular season for repeated violations of the NFL's player safety rules, with the latest infraction being a blatant helmet-to-helmet hit on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown in the playoffs.
Despite the fact that he's long been considered a repeat offender, Werder's report indicates a belief from team officials that the discipline this time around will be "a slap on the wrist," likely in the form of a fine.
Such a penalty would be Burfict's ninth just five seasons into his NFL career.