New York Jets defensive linemen Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson were benched for the first quarter of Sunday's 27-23 loss to the Miami Dolphins after being late to or missing team meetings, a league source said Monday.
Their absences include Wilkerson being a no-show for an Oct. 22 walk-through/defensive meeting in which there were plans to serve cake to celebrate his 27th birthday.
Wilkerson skipped that session a day before the Jets faced the Baltimore Ravens at home. Wilkerson didn't play that week because of an ankle injury, but he was in the lineup the following week against the Cleveland Browns.