The Cleveland Browns benched wide receiver Antonio Callaway on Sunday because he arrived late to the stadium, ESPN reported Tuesday.
Cleveland.com reported that Callaway was tardy because he parked in a different lot than usual at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The second-year wideout participated in pregame warmups, but was ruled inactive and did not play in Cleveland’s 19-16 win over the visiting Buffalo Bills.
“I don’t know if he’d gotten the message or not, but I’m not wavering,” coach Freddie Kitchens said to reporters, confirming it was a one-game benching. “I always want our guys to make good choices. … I did what I felt like I needed to do, and it’s over.”
Callaway’s replacement, Rashard Higgins, caught the game-winning 7-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield with 1:48 remaining.
Callaway, 22, has eight receptions for 89 yards in four games (two starts) this season. He missed the first four games while serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.
A fourth-round pick out of Florida in 2018, Callaway had 43 catches for 586 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season with the Browns.
