Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower Expected To Return From MCL Injury This Week Or Next

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower was diagnosed with an MCL injury that could cost him two or three weeks to recover.

Rapoport adds that this would leave Hightower in position to return either in Week 3 or Week 4, depending on how he progresses in the coming days.

This would be great news for Hightower and the Patriots, as it appeared as though he may have a very serious knee injury after he was rolled up on from behind during their Week 1 game against the Chiefs.

Hightower, 27, is a former first-round pick of the Patriots back in 2012. He played out his rookie contract before the Patriots picked up his fifth-year option last year and tested the open market as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career this offseason.

Ultimately, Hightower returned to the Patriots on a four-year, $35.5 million contract that included $19 million guaranteed.

In 2016, Hightower appeared in 13 games for the Patriots and recorded 65 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two pass defenses and a safety. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 13 linebacker out of 87 qualifying players.

This season, Hightower has appeared in one game and recorded two tackles for the Patriots.