Dont'a Hightower is the latest member of the New England Patriots who is expected to opt out of the 2020 NFL season, according to a report from ESPN.
A day after Patriots fullback Danny Vitale and offensive linemen Najee Toran and Marcus Cannon indicated they would stay home this season, ESPN reported running back Brandon Bolden and Hightower will do the same. Hightower, like Vitale, recently became the father to a newborn, per ESPN.
Hightower was a part of the three most recent Patriots Super Bowl titles. In 15 games last season, the 30-year-old ranked second on the team in tackles (71), tackles-for-loss (eight) and quarterback hits (13) behind Jaime Collins, who departed for the Detroit Lions in free agency.