FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots defense has made notable strides in recent weeks, with the return of linebacker Dont’a Hightower one of the key reasons why.
But now, as Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald first reported, the D will have to keep things going without Hightower this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers because of a shoulder injury. Those close to the situation have raised the possibility that it could potentially be more than a short-term absence.
That would be a tough blow to a unit that has seemed to find itself as players settle in to their roles.