Report: Former Alabama LB Dont’a Hightower is out for the year
By Kevin Duffey
Published:
Former Alabama LB Dont’a Hightower is out for the season with a torn pectoral, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Hightower injured his shoulder during the third quarter against the Falcons while trying to tackle RB Devonta Freeman.
He played through a torn right shoulder labrum in 2014, but playing through a torn pec is a different story, even with a high pain tolerance level. He missed two games earlier this season with a sprained right knee.
The Patriots signed Hightower to a four-year, $35.5 million contract this offseason.
#Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower has a torn pec and is out for the year, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 26, 2017
The Patriots defense is already struggling this season, and now with losing Hightower for the year, it will likely continue.
The former Alabama standout was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and he’s been a staple in the middle. He was a key player in the Patriots huge comeback over Atlanta in Super Bowl LI.
A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.
