The New England Patriots benched Malcolm Butler because he was late for the first organized team activities on May 26th after his flight to Boston the night before was canceled due to weather issues.

Bill Belichick had kept Butler off the field until this week.

The cornerback has been attending all meetings, film sessions and weight-training sessions, and he might be close to returning to practice as early as Thursday, when reporters are scheduled to be present.

Butler is viewing the situation as a lesson learned and in the future intends to fly a day earlier, the source said.