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Patriots Notebook: Roger Goodell didn’t ask to suspend team workers

SAN FRANCISCO — One Deflategate question that’s gotten multiple answers in recent days is this: If the Patriots are innocent, why did they suspend officials locker room attendant Jim McNally and equipment assistant John Jastremski?

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King asked Robert Kraft that question in a story that appeared Monday. The Patriots owner, who Tuesday reluctantly agreed to accept all the league sanctions imposed from the Wells investigation, refused to answer.

Not long after that story appeared, there was a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Pats had suspended McNally and Jastremski because the league had asked them to do so, in compliance with the NFL’s wishes.