HOUSTON — The New England Patriots will be without their top defensive player for a second consecutive week.
Linebacker Dont’a Hightower’s status for the Patriots’ Sunday night matchup with the Houston Texans was changed from questionable to out Saturday night. Hightower hasn’t missed a practice after spraining his knee in Week 12 against the Denver Broncos.
Starting guard Josh Kline also didn’t make the trip and has been ruled out.
Tight end Rob Gronkwoski made the trip to Houston and is expected to play, a source told The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin. The Patriots must release their final inactive list an hour and a half before the 8:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Gronkowski was limited in practice Thursday and Friday after an absence Wednesday.
Thumbnail photo via Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports Images
