54 Dont'a Hightower OLB

It's unclear whether Hightower (opt out) plans to return to the Patriots next season, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

Hightower will be 31 at the start of the 2021 campaign and became a father shortly before opting out of the 2020 season. While safety Patrick Chung has committed to returning to the Patriots after sitting out 2020, it remains to be seen whether the veteran linebacker will follow suit or if Hightower's ready to move on from football.

Hightower is opting out of the 2020 season, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

Hightower became a first-time father July 16, which likely played a big role in his decision. He's one of five Patriots that have decided to opt out, joining OT Marcus Cannon, FB Danny Vitale, RB Brandon Bolden and OL Najee Toran. The 30-year-old linebacker made 15 starts last year, recording 71 tackles, 5.5 sacks and four pass defenses while playing 78 percent of defensive snaps.

Hightower will not participate in the Pro Bowl due to an undisclosed injury.

Hightower's health concern didn't prevent him from playing 97 percent of defensive snaps during the wild-card loss to Tennessee, during which he notched nine tackles (eight solo). There's not yet any reason to believe that the 29-year-old is in danger of missing the beginning of New England's offseason program. Buffalo linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has been named to the Pro Bowl in Hightower's stead.

Hightower notched six tackles (three solo) and one sack during Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Texans.

Hightower now has four sacks on the season, and he's within striking range of his career-best mark of six sacks. The veteran linebacker plays a key role in New England's defense, but he doesn't provide enough consistency as a run stopper to carry must-start value in IDP formats.

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.

Hightower (illness) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Doug Kyed of NESN.com reports.

There must be a bug going around the Patriots' locker room, as eight other players were on the practice report with an illness. Friday's report will be telling for Hightower's availability Sunday.

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.

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.

Hightower is not listed on the Patriots' injury report prior to Monday's game against the Jets.

Hightower came out of Week 6's Thursday game with a shoulder issue but is good to go now. The 29-year-old has 23 tackles (17 solo) on the season with two sacks.

Hightower is questionable to return to Thursday's contest against the Giants with a shoulder injury.

Hightower recorded three solo tackles before exiting the game in the fourth quarter. The former All-Pro linebacker is an essential piece of the Patriots' stout defense, so the team will be hoping an upcoming long week is enough to get him back and healthy for Week 7 against the Jets. As long as Hightower is out, Ja'Whaun Bentley is in line to take over at linebacker alongside Elandon Roberts, Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy.

Hightower recorded eight tackles (five solo), 1.5 sacks and one defended pass during Sunday's 33-7 win over the Redskins.

Hightower terrorized Colt McCoy en route to the Patriots' defense logging another convincing performance. The 29-year-old linebacker is a key player in New England's defense, though a lack of consistency compiling tackles on a weekly basis makes him difficult to trust in IDP formats.

Hightower (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game versus the Redskins.

Hightower will return to his starting inside linebacker position after a one-week hiatus. This is a favorable game to return for, as the Redskins will be rolling out Colt McCoy for his first start of the season.

The Patriots expect to have Hightower (shoulder) available in Week 5 against the Redskins, Michael Giardi of NFL Network reports.

Hightower is officially listed as questionable, but this news suggests he's more likely than not to suit up. His return would be a boon for an already fearsome defensive unit in a highly favorable matchup.

Hightower (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Redskins.

Hightower was a limited participant in every practice this week, but he logged the same practice report ahead of Week 4's game versus the Bills and was ultimately ruled out at game time. Another work of recovery may be all Hightower needed, but he's considered a true game-time decision ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Hightower (shoulder) won't suit up for Sunday's road game against the Bills.

Hightower only logged limited work during practice, and was considered a game-time decision for the clash. Now that he's officially out, look for Jaime Collins to get that start at outside linebacker for the game opposite Kyle Van Noy.

Hightower (shoulder) has officially been listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Bills.

After a week of limited work at practice, HIghtower is looking like a true game-time decision. Jamie Collins would presumably fill in for him at outside linebacker should he ultimately be unable to suit up.

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.

Hightower is entering the offseason program at around 250-255 pounds, Dakota Randall of NESN reports.

Linebackers around the league seem to be shedding weight in an effort to stay on the field more often on passing downs. Hightower, who checked in at 265 pounds at the 2012 NFL Combine and has played around 270 at times, appears to be following suit. Moreover, the 2016 All-Pro has evidently been active in offseason workouts and is seemingly in good health after spraining his toe in the Super Bowl.

Hightower wore a walking boot to protect a toe sprain during the Patriots' championship parade Tuesday, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

This sounds like a matter of being cautious in a chaotic environment rather than any level of concern about the injury being serious. Hightower showed no sign of limitations during the Super Bowl, finishing with two sacks, a batted pass and three quarterback hits on 56 defensive snaps (86 percent). He has two seasons remaining on a four-year, $33.5 million contract, with $2 million of his 2019 base salary ($7 million) scheduled to become guaranteed March 17, per OverTheCap.com. While his regular-season statistics may not justify the lofty salary, Hightower has an impressive history of stepping up when it matters most.

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.