New England Patriots: Dont’a Hightower injury means next man up
The New England Patriots now have to find a way to replace veteran linebacker Dont’a Hightower as he’ll miss the rest of 2017 due to injury.
The New England Patriots have been rolling as of late, and things have been looking up for the defense in particular. However, a piece of news Thursday may have put the good vibes on pause. Per multiple reports, Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.
Hightower has been a dependable leader within the Patriots defense for a number of years now. In six seasons, he has recorded 386 tackles, and 19 sacks. The Alabama product was taken in the first round, No. 25 overall, back in 2012.
As NESN.com pointed out earlier Thursday, the Patriots have ample depth to replace Hightower at the position. The question here is whether it will be enough to offset the loss of Hightower.
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Some of the names that have been brought up to replace him include linebacker’s Elandon Roberts, David Harris and Marquis Flowers, safety Jordan Richards, and pass rushers Cassius Marsh and Adam Butler. However, none of those appear to be a long-term solution.
Marsh and Roberts are two of the more intriguing players on this list for me. Marsh has gotten more playing time recently and has performed well. On the season, he has 17 total tackles and a sack. Roberts has 17 tackles on the year.
As far as the odd man out on that list, David Harris gets that distinction in my book. Harris has appeared in four games this season, recording four tackles. At age 33, he is on the older side of things. At a position such as linebacker, quickness and agility is key and he may have lost a step or two.
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The good news is that Shea McClellin should come back after the bye week and that will add both a veteran presence that is familiar with the system as well as someone who is versatile. The loss of Hightower will leave a huge hole in the defense, and New England may have to fill it via the committee approach rather than just one player. It will not be easy, but it can be done.