Dont'a Hightower

Patriots' Dont'a Hightower out for season with torn pectoral

New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower will miss the rest of the season with a torn pectoral, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

What It Means:

Hightower was already ruled out for Week 8, however, the injury was believed to a week-to-week issue, not a serious, season-ending one. According to reports, Hightower had partially torn his pec this spring so that might have played into this one. As David Harris takes over for Hightower, the Patriots will be that much thinner at linebacker and even more vulnerable on the defensive side of the ball.

Through 5 games, Hightower had tallied 12 tackles and 2 sacks. He was projected for 41.4 tackles, 2.3 sacks and 1.5 passes defensed over the remainder of the season.