It appears Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas weren’t the only players battling serious arm injuries in Super Bowl XLIX.
New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower is expected to undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday, citing a source.
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Hightower had been listed on the team’s injury report with a shoulder injury since Week 14 and sat out the Week 17 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, so it’s clear he had been dealing with this issue for a while.
The Patriots probably are glad the linebacker gutted it out for the Super Bowl, however, as Hightower tackled Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch on the 1-yard line late in the fourth quarter to set up Malcolm Butler’s game-winning interception.
Hightower also missed three games earlier in the regular season with a knee injury but still finished second on the team with six sacks.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
