Starting linebacker Dont'a Hightower of the New England Patriots is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle, ESPN has confirmed.
Hightower is scheduled to visit Dr. James Andrews on Thursday, a source told ESPN. And while sources say Hightower's season is over, the Patriots are still uncertain he will be out for the year, another source told ESPN.
On Wednesday, the Boston Herald reported that the Patriots would be without Hightower for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. On Thursday, multiple reports emerged saying Hightower's prognosis was worse and that he would miss the rest of the season.
<aside class="inline editorial float-r" data-behavior="article_related" style="">[h=1]Editor's Picks[/h]
The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Hightower missed games in Weeks 2 and 3 with a knee injury sustained in the third quarter of the season opener. Upon his return, he was used in a part-time role, playing 37 snaps in an Oct. 1 loss to the Carolina Panthers, before seeing his workload increase to 62 and 69 snaps, respectively, over the next two games.
He has been credited with 14 tackles and two sacks this season.
In his absence, the Patriots have Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, David Harris, Marquis Flowers and Trevor Reilly on their off-the-line linebacker depth chart. Roberts missed the win over Atlanta with an ankle injury. Four-year veteran Van Noy has played 95.3 percent of the defensive snaps, the most at linebacker for the Patriots this season.
Six-year veteran Shea McClellin, who opened the season on injured reserve, is eligible to return to action Nov. 12 against the Denver Broncos and should elevate to the upper parts of the depth chart quickly.
Hightower was one of the top unrestricted free agents this past offseason. After taking visits to the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, he returned to the Patriots on a four-year contract that included a $10 million signing bonus. In part because he had been in and out of the lineup due to injuries, the deal included per-game roster bonuses of $54,687, which is a higher figure than the norm.
A defensive captain, Hightower's versatility to play an off-the-line linebacker role, or on the line at the end of the line scrimmage, is valued by the coaching staff. His knowledge of the defensive scheme and experience was cited by players as having a calming effect on the unit.
ESPN's Mike Reiss contributed to this report.
Hightower is scheduled to visit Dr. James Andrews on Thursday, a source told ESPN. And while sources say Hightower's season is over, the Patriots are still uncertain he will be out for the year, another source told ESPN.
On Wednesday, the Boston Herald reported that the Patriots would be without Hightower for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. On Thursday, multiple reports emerged saying Hightower's prognosis was worse and that he would miss the rest of the season.
<aside class="inline editorial float-r" data-behavior="article_related" style="">[h=1]Editor's Picks[/h]
- [h=2]Progress of Patriots' D will be tested without Dont'a Hightower[/h]The Patriots missed Dont'a Hightower's presence and communication skills when he was out in Weeks 2 and 3, and they now must adjust without him again.
The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Hightower missed games in Weeks 2 and 3 with a knee injury sustained in the third quarter of the season opener. Upon his return, he was used in a part-time role, playing 37 snaps in an Oct. 1 loss to the Carolina Panthers, before seeing his workload increase to 62 and 69 snaps, respectively, over the next two games.
He has been credited with 14 tackles and two sacks this season.
In his absence, the Patriots have Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, David Harris, Marquis Flowers and Trevor Reilly on their off-the-line linebacker depth chart. Roberts missed the win over Atlanta with an ankle injury. Four-year veteran Van Noy has played 95.3 percent of the defensive snaps, the most at linebacker for the Patriots this season.
Six-year veteran Shea McClellin, who opened the season on injured reserve, is eligible to return to action Nov. 12 against the Denver Broncos and should elevate to the upper parts of the depth chart quickly.
Hightower was one of the top unrestricted free agents this past offseason. After taking visits to the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, he returned to the Patriots on a four-year contract that included a $10 million signing bonus. In part because he had been in and out of the lineup due to injuries, the deal included per-game roster bonuses of $54,687, which is a higher figure than the norm.
A defensive captain, Hightower's versatility to play an off-the-line linebacker role, or on the line at the end of the line scrimmage, is valued by the coaching staff. His knowledge of the defensive scheme and experience was cited by players as having a calming effect on the unit.
ESPN's Mike Reiss contributed to this report.
