How the Patriots might replace Dont’a Hightower after his season-ending injury
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Dont’a Hightower successfully underwent surgery on Thursday to repair his torn pectoral muscle, and will be out for the rest of the season. Rapoport added that the Patriots linebacker is expected to make a full recovery for 2018.
#Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower had surgery today to repair his torn pec, source said. It went well. Should have a full recovery for 2018.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 26, 2017
Here’s how the Hightower story has unfolded, and what’s next for New England:
Origin of the injury
Hightower appeared to hurt himself on this play during Sunday night’s game against the Falcons:
This is the actual spot where Hightower goes down. pic.twitter.com/I33igYYQve
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) October 25, 2017
On 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich, NFL reporter Albert Breer offered context on Hightower’s injury in a Thursday morning interview. According to Breer, it’s an issue that dates back to the offseason, when Hightower was a free agent and visited multiple teams.
“[Hightower] failed physicals in March because of this,” Breer explained on Toucher & Rich. “I know one team found that he had, at that point – and this is seven months ago now – had a 55 percent torn pec then. So that was why [the Patriots] were very careful with him in the spring, why they were careful with him in the summer. And I think the hope was that they could get through this year with it. And they knew all along that that wasn’t 100 percent.”
Potential replacements
As for who would potentially replace Hightower, it’s not a question of “next man up.” In Hightower’s case, his versatility and importance to the defense necessitates an emendation to the popular Patriots phrase. It will be a question of “men” – as in plural – attempting to replace the 27-year-old linebacker.
Kyle Van Noy will reportedly take over the play-calling on defense, though filling the void of Hightower’s vital pre-snap adjustments might prove too tall a task.
Elandon Roberts will also be a likely candidate to fill in for some of Hightower’s inside linebacker duties. Though he missed the Falcons game with an injury, Roberts should return and provide run-stopping help (even if his pass coverage needs continued development). Veteran David Harris, who played a season high 19 snaps against Atlanta on Sunday night, was signed partly as insurance on a possible Hightower injury.
Shea McClellin is an intriguing possibility, and could return after Week 8 due to NFL injured reserve rules. His size and versatility makes him similar – though not equal – to Hightower.
Rumors were already flying about a possible return of defensive end Rob Ninkovich, who retired prior to the season. That possibility continues to linger, and would grow if Hightower was indeed out for the season.
Additional specialists, such as Marquis Flowers (as an edge defender) and Jordan Richards (as a linebacker-safety hybrid) are also in the mix to contribute. Both Deatrich Wise and Cassius Marsh would be expected to step up contributions on the line, particularly as pass-rushers.
Finally, there is the possibility of the Patriots making a trade. Bill Belichick recently admitted that the Patriots are “open for business” prior to the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, October 31. While the possibility of acquiring a player of Hightower’s ability seems remote, the addition of another role player could help the collective approach to replacing one of the Patriots’ defensive stars.
