Report: Dont'a Hightower Out 6-7 Months After Shoulder Surgery
BOSTON (CBS) - The Patriots will be without the services of linebacker Dont'a Hightower for at least the next half-year, according to the Boston Globe.
Ben Volin reports that the 25-year-old will be out 6-7 months after undergoing shoulder surgery for a torn right labrum on February 10, which would obviously affect his readiness for the 2015 season. The injury was first reported by the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who said Hightower basically played the Super Bowl with one arm.
For what it's worth, the former Alabama star is determined to go through the rehab process according to an Instagram post from last month:
Hightower made five total tackles on the biggest stage in Super Bowl XLIX, including the game-saving takedown of Marshawn Lynch on the 1-yard line, which led to Russell Wilson's costly interception on the next play to New England's undrafted rookie corner Malcolm Butler.
Volin reports that right tackle Sebastian Vollmer also underwent surgery to fix a torn labrum, and guard Ryan Wendell had a "minor cleanup" on one of his shoulders.
Both Vollmer and Wendell are expected to be ready for training camp, but another linebacker will have to shoulder the load without Hightower for what seems to be at least the first month of game action.