FOXBORO -- If there is one Patriots player to go to after a situation like Josh Gordon's, it's special teams captain Matthew Slater.
Speaking Thursday in the locker room, Slater reacted to the news of Gordon stepping away from the game and also being suspended indefinitely by the league.
"I think first and foremost our players are with Josh and your concerns are with him and what is is dealing with, whatever that may be," Slater said. "I think we have a tendency to be so infatuated with what is going on on the football field as players, as media members, we lose sight of what is going on with the man sometimes and our No. 1 concern is with him as a man. I am thankful for the approach he took here and how he was as a teammate. I enjoyed getting to know him and that process and will continue to support him any way I can and be praying for him. I think that's the No. 1 concern is you want to see him be fine, be OK and that is what we'll be praying for."
Bill Belichick told the team about what was going on at a 8 a.m. meeting.
"Certainly something that you are not expecting," Slater said.
Slater said he plans on doing what he can to help Gordon.
"I think that remains to be seen. I don't know what that is going to look like," he said. "Like I said, as for me I believe in prayer. I am a man of faith so I believe prayer is a powerful thing and I think it can have powerful results, so first and foremost me and my family will be praying for him. We'll see what happens after that."
Gordon will finish the season with 70 receptions for 720 yards and three touchdowns.
