New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower is out for the season with a torn pectoral, according to a report by Ian Rapoport.
Hightower was believed to be injured in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons when attempting to stop a run by running back Devonta Freeman.
A six-year veteran out of Alabama, Hightower is one of the leaders on the Patriots’ struggling defense that is ranked last in the NFL in total defense after allowing an average of 426.7 yards per game.
Hightower has played 50.2 percent of the Patriots’ defensive snaps this season. With Hightower on the field, New England allowed 1.4 fewer yards per play, according to ESPN.
Hightower, a first round draft pick in 2012, recorded 14 combined tackles and two sacks in five games this season.
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