The Cincinnati Bengals reportedly do not anticipate Vontaze Burfict being suspended again in the wake of his most recent dirty play.
According to ESPN’s Ed Werder, the Bengals expect any punishment the league doles out to amount to “a slap on the wrist for now,” which likely means Burfict could be fined. Werder also said Tuesday that a Bengals source reviewed the play where Burfict was accused of stepping on New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount and didn’t see anything that would warrant a suspension.
#Bengals source says tape review indicates Vontaze Burfict didn't step on LeGarrette Blount, noting official looking directly at player
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) October 18, 2016
While you can’t technically see Burfict stepping on Blount, common sense would tell you something happened given the immediate reaction. Blount wasn’t even looking in Burfict’s direction at the moment it appeared Burfict stepped on him, yet Blount immediately became furious and turned around to shove Burfict down. You can see a video of the incident here.
In addition to that play, the NFL is also reviewing Burfict’s dangerous hit on Martellus Bennett.
Burfict is one of the most notoriously dirty players in football, and he was suspended for the first three games of the season because of it. He has been fined a total of $200,000 for eight different on-field incidents in his career, and that number could grow this week.
