Hightower announced Tuesday via his personal Twitter account that he has retired from professional football.
Hightower is officially retiring after nine seasons in the NFL, all of which he spent with New England. The two-time Pro Bowler earned three Super Bowl rings during his time with the Patriots, a span in which he solidified himself as one of the team's most important defensive players. He will perhaps be best remembered for his tackle of Marshawn Lynch at the one-yard line with seconds left in Super Bowl XLIX, which set up teammate Malcolm Butler's famous goal-line interception of Russell Wilson.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Active Sunday
Rotowire
Hightower (knee) will play Sunday against the Jaguars.
Hightower was unable to practice Friday, but he's ready to go Sunday. He should receive the majority of the work at middle linebacker Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: On track to play
Rotowire
Hightower (knee) is expected to play Sunday against the Jaguars, Jim McBride of The Boston Globe reports.
Hightower was labeled questionable with a knee injury on Friday's injury report, but he's apparently on track to suit up Sunday. The 31-year-old has 62 tackles (37 solo) and a half-sack in 14 games this season.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Questionable for Sunday
Rotowire
Hightower (knee) is questionable for Sunday against the Jaguars.
Hightower did not participate in practice Friday after getting in limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday. This would seem to be a step in the wrong direction for the 10-year veteran. However, with four linebackers currently on the COVID list, it's possible the team decided to play it safe with Hightower on Friday. Either way, he's likely going to be a game-time decision for Sunday against the Jaguars.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Set to face Bills
Rotowire
Hightower (ankle) does not carry an injury designation into Monday's game against the Bills, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston reports.
Hightower was limited for the team's first two practices of the week with an ankle injury. However, he turned in a full session Saturday and will be ready to suit up Monday. In 11 games this season, Hightower has recorded 45 total tackles with 0.5 sacks and one pass defended.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Sidelined with elbow injury
Rotowire
Hightower (elbow) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets.
Hightower injured his elbow during the Patriots' Week 6 contest. Though he was able to return to that game, he did not practice Friday and is now set to miss his first contest of the season. Ja'Whaun Bentley figures to take over a bigger role in Hightower's absence.
Hightower (elbow) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets.
Hightower's designation comes after being a non-participant at Friday's practice. Several of New England's linebackers have drawn questionable tags. The middle linebacker's final status will be determined by how he is feeling closer to kickoff.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Returns to game
Rotowire
Hightower (elbow) has returned to Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Michael Giardi of NFL Network reports.
Hightower will gut it out, with the Patriots experiencing a number of injuries on defense. He'll take over at middle linebacker.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Hurts elbow Sunday
Rotowire
Hightower is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Cowboys with an elbow injury.
Hightower's absence leaves the Patriots without their starting middle linebacker. Ja'Whaun Bentley should see extra snaps in the meantime.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Intends to play in 2021
Rotowire
Hightower intends to play for the Patriots in 2021, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Hightower was one of eight Patriots to opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns related to COVID-19, but it looks as though he wants to return for the team in 2021. Whether New England will reciprocate those feelings is a bit more unclear, given that $9.95 million of Hightower's $12.45 million cap hit for next season would be cleared if he's traded or released. Safety Patrick Chung and offensive lineman Marcus Cannon both also announced that they'll return in 2021.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Likely to play in 2021
Rotowire
Patriots safety Devin McCourty said he expects Hightower to return for 2021, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
One of eight Patriots to opt out for 2020, the 31-year-old linebacker apparently plans to resume his career, though it isn't clear he'll stay in New England. Hightower is scheduled for a $12.45 million cap hit in the final year of his contract, with the Patriots able to clear up $9.95 million in cap space if he's traded or released.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Gearing up Sunday
Rotowire
Hightower (illness) is active for Sunday's game against the Texans.
One of many Patriots dealing with the flu, Hightower recovered enough for this AFC showdown. The veteran linebacker is a key piece of the team's run defense, as he's accrued 47 tackles and three sacks through 10 contests.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Only one tackle against Eagles
Rotowire
Hightower recorded one tackle and one sack during Sunday's 17-10 victory over the Eagles.
Hightower had one of those weird games where his teammates made the majority of the tackles, but the veteran at least made a huge play when it mattered by sacking Carson Wentz on third down to end a second-half Eagles drive. Hightower now has 41 tackles and three sacks through nine games and will be pivotal to the Patriots' efforts to contain Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott in Week 12.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Racks up 13 tackles
Rotowire
Hightower tallied 13 tackles (nine solo) in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Ravens.
This was Hightower's highest tackle count of the season, surpassing his previous season best of eight. Hightower was one of the Patriots' main spies on Lamar Jackson, which is likely one of the main reasons for his heightened success. The veteran linebacker will enjoy Week 10's bye week and look to pick up where he left off Week 11 against the Eagles.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Suffers injury Sunday
Rotowire
Hightower (shoulder) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Jets.
It's unclear how Hightower picked up the injury, but he suffered it late in the second half. Considering the game was out of reach when he left, it's likely the team keeps the veteran out of the game in order to protect him from further injury. In any event, Jaime Collins is in line to fill in for Hightower at one of the outside linebacker positions.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Cleared for Super Bowl
Rotowire
Hightower (illness) was a full practice participant Friday and doesn't have any injury designation for the Super Bowl, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Held out of practice the day prior, Hightower seems to have made a quick recovery and should be fine to handle his usual three-down role come Sunday. He played every snap on defense in the AFC Championship Game, notching two tackles (one for loss) and a quarterback hit in a 37-31 win over the Chiefs.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Held out of practice Thursday
Rotowire
Hightower was held out of Thursday's practice session due to illness.
Hightower first appeared on the injury report Thursday as the team had a walkthrough in lieu of a full practice. It's unclear what the specifics of the issue are or if he's in jeopardy of being held out or seeing a reduced role Sunday. Looking ahead to the big game, if Hightower is at all limited then Brandon King or Albert McClellan would likely see an uptick in snaps.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Posts four tackles in loss
Rotowire
Hightower recorded four tackles (three solo) in Sunday's loss to the Titans.
Hightower was questionable entering Sunday's game due to a knee injury, but he played on nearly all of the Patriots' defensive snaps. He's averaging a little under four tackles per game and doesn't have much value in most IDP formats. Looking ahead, Hightower and the Patriots take on the Jets in Week 12 after a Week 11 bye.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Four tackles in win
Rotowire
Hightower recorded four tackles (two solo) in Sunday's win over the Packers.
Hightower had a modest performance Sunday after sitting out New England's Week 8 game due to a knee injury. He saw his typical workload and didn't appear hampered by the injury whatsoever. Looking ahead, Hightower and the Patriots will take on the Titans in Week 10.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Good to go Sunday
Rotowire
Hightower (knee) is officially active for Sunday night's game against the Packers.
Hightower was a limited practice participant this week to earn the questionable tag after missing last week's win over the Bills. The 28-year-old should have his usual workload, as the Patriots defense attempts to slow down quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
