Josh Gordon, Bill Belichick both deflect reports of on-field discipline

ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 29: Josh Gordon of the New England Patriots walks on the field during warmups for the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 29: Josh Gordon of the New England Patriots walks on the field during warmups for the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com

As it turns out, Ian Rapoport had some bad information.

Or maybe it was good information at the time. Then you'd have to assume that Bill Belichick saw his report - that the Patriots planned to discipline Gordon for tardiness by keeping him off the field for several series against the Bills - and reversed course. Either way, the "discipline" that Rapoport alluded to didn't happen.

Gordon ended up starting in the Patriots' 25-6 win over the Bills and playing 64 snaps, 84 percent of all offensive plays. Only Julian Edelman (73 snaps) played more at receiver.

Both Gordon and Belichick were asked about the reports after the game. As you may expect, neither offered an explanation.

"That’s a question you have to ask coach about," said Gordon. "But in relation to the game, I was available, so that’s a plus."

So they asked coach. And predictably, he gave even less: "You have to talk to whoever wrote that. I have no idea."

The reports that Gordon had been late earlier in the week weren't necessarily untrue. According to Jeff Howe, Gordon arrived late to the Patriots team bus before they departed Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

But clearly, whatever Gordon did, it wasn't bad enough to bench him. And the best-case scenario for Rapoport is that it wasn't bad enough for the Patriots to go through with the discipline he'd reported.

Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.

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Matt DolloffWriter

Matt, a North Andover, Massachusetts native, has been with The Sports Hub since 2010. Growing up the son of Boston University All-American and Melrose High School hall-of-fame hockey player Steve Dolloff, sports was always a part of his life. After attending Northeastern University, Matt focused his love of sports on writing, extensively writing about all four major Boston teams. He also is a co-host of the Sports Hub Underground podcast and is a regular on-air contributor on the Sports Hub. Matt writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.