Dont’a Hightower Likely to Miss Rest of the Season
#Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower has a torn pec and is out for the year, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 26, 2017
LB Dont’a Hightower scheduled to visit Dr. James Andrews today, per team source. Patriots still do not know if he will be out for year.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 26, 2017
While reports are conflicting on the length of his injury, it does appear that Dont’a Hightower is going to be out for the year with a torn pec. A defense that was already incredibly thin just got even thinner.
The Patriots are used to playing without Hightower, as he’s missed a ton of time due to injury, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. While production is easy to match to a certain extent, leadership is nearly impossible to replace. Since taking over the leadership role on this defense, Hightower has proved year in and year out how valuable he is as a leader. A defense who right now appears to have no leader is going to need somebody to step up in a big way.
As far as his production goes, the Patriots are usually pretty good at filling holes. David Harris now becomes a key part of this defense. Shea McClellin should also be returning from injury soon. With the trade deadline approaching and the Patriots heading into a bye week after Sunday’s game, I would expect Belichick to make a move for some sort of interior linebacker or pass rusher to fill the void left by Hightower. The Patriots appear to be equipped for life without Hightower, they just need the dominoes to fall their way.
Written By: Nick Cherico (@NickCherico2)