Report: Patriots Trade Michael Bennett To Cowboys

BOSTON (CBS) -- Michael Bennett's time in New England is over.

The veteran defensive lineman was traded to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Bennett, 33, had seen decreased playing time as the season went on this year, and he was suspended for a week by the team after getting into a "philosophical" disagreement.

The Boston Globe's Ben Volin noted that Bennett's trade should clear some much-needed salary cap room.

Bennett returned from that suspension this week, but he sounded less than enthusiastic when speaking with reporters on Wednesday about his place on the team.

"I mean, that's up to them," Bennett said Wednesday when asked if he wanted to be traded. "It's up to the team or how they feel about it. I mean, I like playing here."

In six games played this season, Bennett has 2.5 sacks, four quarterback hits, and five total tackles.

Bennett was on the field for 55 percent of the defensive snaps in Week 1, 40 percent in Week 2, 38 percent in Week 3, 30 percent in Week 4, 25 percent in Week 5, and 22 percent in Week 6, before being suspended for Week 7.

The Patriots traded a fifth-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Bennett and a seventh-round pick back in March.

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• New England Patriots
• Dallas Cowboys