The NFL has handed down a stiff penalty as a result of the New England Patriots falling afoul of the league’s rulebook, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Pats have been docked two of their organized team activities, with the NFL’s offseason program a few days deep into its third phase. The league is taking away a pair of New England’s 10 scheduled OTAs this offseason, though the violations that have not been disclosed.
A team statement notes they will not be taking part in practice on May 25 and May 30; the offseason schedule is set to resume next week. The Patriots have already held two practices after starting OTAs on May 22. They will only have six more sessions before they embark on a three-day minicamp that kicks off on June 12.
The Patriots Aren’t The Only Team To Have Incurred Such Penalties
They follow the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears, who were docked practices for violations of non-contact rules last year. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and Seattle Seahawks are also among teams hit with similar penalties over the last few years.
The NFL does not permit live contact during OTAs, though teams can set up 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills.
Bill Belichick, the team’s head coach, will speak to members of the press after they resume OTAs on May 31.
