FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower isn’t worried about rust. He just wants to get healthy before the postseason.
Hightower, in his best season thus far as a pro, injured his shoulder in the Patriots’ Week 13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He sat out Week 14, came back for two games and sat again in Week 17. He’s ready for the playoffs, though.
“It’s football, man,” Hightower said, parsing his words. “Everybody gets injured. I don’t know — I’m injured, but it’s football. I’ll play through it; it is what it is.”
Hightower is one of the Patriots most fortunate to have a first-round bye in the playoffs, and he was one of eight players who sat out Week 17’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, along with receiver Julian Edelman (concussion), tight end Rob Gronkowski (precaution), offensive linemen Sebastian Vollmer (back) and Dan Connolly (knee), running back Jonas Gray (ankle) and cornerbacks Brandon Browner (groin) and Kyle Arrington (hamstring), who suited up but didn’t play.
Hightower said he “most definitely” plans on using the bye to get healthy. “I’m one of the first ones to agree about that. It’s good that we have a slower pace and make sure we’re understanding things, letting some guys get healed up. We’re definitely taking advantage of it all the way around.”
The Patriots will need Hightower, who adds a stout 265-pound presence to the Patriots’ run defense. Hightower also has been dependable in coverage, and he’s one of the Patriots’ best blitzers as a pass rusher. The team obviously missed Hightower on Sunday against the Bills, when linebackers couldn’t hold up against the run, and Patriots’ front seven was having trouble pressuring quarterback Kyle Orton.
Thumbnail photo via Mike Roemer/Associated Press
