New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick confirmed on Monday what many expected to be the case. Star defender Dont’a Hightower will miss the remainder of the season with a torn pectoral muscle.
Belichick indicated that while Hightower has not yet been placed on injured reserve, he will not return this season.
Bill Belichick, on @DaleHolleyWEEI, says of Dont’a Hightower: “Unfortunately we won’t have him the rest of this year” Just haven’t put on IR
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 30, 2017
This will continue to be a massive blow for a Patriots defense that ranks in the bottom half of the NFL in points allowed and ranks dead last against the pass.
Hightower has moved between linebacker and defense end this season after signing a four-year, $35.5 million deal to remain in New England during the spring.
The Pats continue to run thin in their defensive front seven. Losing Hightower for the season will be a major issue moving forward. Despite this, New England heads into its Week 9 bye with an AFC-best 6-2 record.