The New England Patriots officially ended Dont’a Hightower’s season by putting him on the IR heading into Week 10, per Field Yates of ESPN.
Source: the Patriots have placed LB Dont'a Hightower (shoulder) on injured reserve. His season is now officially over.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 7, 2017
That Hightower won’t play again in 2017 isn’t surprising. Bill Belichick recently said the team wouldn’t have him back this season. But until now he hasn’t been officially ruled out in this way.
New England’s defense has been among the worst in the NFL this year, with or without Hightower. The linebacker missed a couple games early in the season, came back to play four games in October before suffering a torn pectoral muscle. He finishes the season with 12 tackles and two sacks.
The Patriots signed Hightower to a four-year, $43.5 million contract this offseason, despite the fact other teams reportedly had red flags about his health.