News

Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower Out For Season With Torn Pectoral

The New England Patriots’ defense seemed to be making substantial improvements, but it has now lost another high-ranking member.

Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower Injury News

Linebacker Dont’a Hightower, 27, will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn pectoral, according to several reports. He underwent surgery Thursday.

Hightower — a former first-round pick out of Alabama — has been with the Patriots since 2012. He was injured in Sunday’s 23-7 victory over the Atlanta Falcons while tackling running back Devonta Freeman with 3:04 remaining in the third quarter.

The 6-foot-3, 265-pound linebacker missed games in Weeks 2 and 3 with a knee injury suffered during the third quarter of the season opener.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

He has recorded 14 tackles and two sacks this season.

In Hightower’s absence, the Pats have Kyle Van NoyElandon Roberts, David Harris, Marquis Flowers and Trevor Reilly on their off-the-line linebacker depth chart. Roberts missed the game against Atlanta with an ankle injury.

“That’s terrible news for a guy like Hightower to go down with that injury and to be out for the year,” Harris said. “What he means to this defense, knowing the defense like the back of his hand, to lose a guy like that is a huge blow for the team. … As a linebacker group, we have to try to fill his place, which is going to be tough to do.”

Hightower was one of the most coveted unrestricted free agents this past offseason. He signed a four-year, $35.5 million contract with New England that included a $10 million signing bonus. He helped lead the Patriots to their Super Bowl LI victory in February, as well as Super Bowl XLIX in 2015.

Meanwhile, six-year veteran LB Shea McLellin — who began the season on injured reserve — is eligible to return Nov. 12 against the Denver Broncos.

The Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Dont’a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots celebrates with Devin McCourty #32 after forcing a fumble from Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Recent Posts

Diontae Johnson Excited To Move From Panthers To Ravens, Could Help In Playoff Push

Wide receiver Diontae Johnson is reportedly settling in well with the Baltimore Ravens after the…

14 hours ago

What Happened To Aaron Judge? After Yankees Fall Short In World Series, Fans Are Asking Questions

Aaron Judge seemed to flip the script on his disastrous World Series and postseason with…

14 hours ago

As The Yankees Collapse In World Series, Free Agency Battle For Juan Soto Begins

The New York Yankees' 2024 season came to a screeching halt Wednesday night when the…

2 days ago

Dodgers Win World Series In Game 5, Yankees Blow Five-Run Lead In Disastrous Finale

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 to win…

2 days ago

Brad Pitt Makes Surprise Appearance At Mexican Grand Prix To Shoot His Movie, ‘F1’

https://youtu.be/Y69VZZt9rt4 Brad Pitt made a surprise appearance at the Mexican Grand Prix’s practice round on Oct. 26.…

3 days ago

76er’s Joel Embiid Stays In NBA News Even While Not Playing

Joel Embiid’s name came up twice in NBA news this week as he continues to…

3 days ago