Alan Branch was suspended by the team, according to several reports, with NESN.com the first to report the news the veteran defensive tackle was telling teammates about the punishment.
The length of the suspension was not immediately known, but ESPN said it was “a team-based issue,’’ so it’s unlikely Branch will miss anything more than a few days.
Asked after Thursday night’s 23-22 preseason victory over Chicago what led to Branch not being with the club, Belichick said, “That’s a club matter.”
Branch started camp on the non-football injury list for the second straight season, but has had a solid camp since his return.
Advertisement
Branch joined the Patriots in October 2014, a few months after he was arrested for DUI and promptly cut by the Bills.
The nine-year veteran started 15 games last season with 33 tackles, a sack, and two forced fumbles.
Malcom Brown and Markus Kuhn started at defensive tackle against the Bears with Anthony Johnson mixing in on the first drive.
Photos: Patriots vs. Bears preseason game
Video: Ben Volin analyzes Patriots-Bears
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com