NFLPA files complaint against Patriots for benching Malcolm Butler

The NFL Players Association has filed a complaint against the Patriots for benching Malcolm Butler during OTAs. The complaint was filed without Butler's consent.

Butler missed the beginning of OTAs due to his flight being grounded because of inclement weather. He did not see the practice field until the final week of OTAs. Adam Kurkjian of The Boston Herald reports the Patriots will likely be slapped with a fine.

Butler's benching has raised some questions as to whether or not OTAs should be mandatory (they're voluntary right now). Because Butler was benched, many believe that head coach Bill Belichick deems these workouts as mandatory. However, as the Collective Bargaining Agreement states, any disciplinary action taken regarding a player's working conditions during voluntary activities is illegal.

The team is not expected to release a statement on the matter any time soon.

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