Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower out for season, will have surgery on torn pectoral muscle
New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower will miss the remainder of the season with a torn pectoral muscle, Paste BN Sports confirmed Thursday morning.
Hightower, who was a second-team all-pro last year, suffered the injury during the third quarter of a 23-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night while tackling running back Devonta Freeman and will require surgery to repair the muscle. He also missed two games with a knee injury earlier this season.
NFL Network first reported the news Thursday morning. The Boston Herald reported that Hightower has a history of pectoral injuries.
A two-year team captain and one of the anchors of the Patriots' defense, Hightower had recorded 14 tackles and two sacks in five games this season.
NFL reporter Mike Jones contributed to this report. Follow Mike and Tom on Twitter @ByMikeJones and @Tom_Schad.
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