The New England Patriots are just a few weeks away from training camp and face an unsettled linebacker position. Veteran Brandon Spikes was surprisingly re-signed after an acrimonious departure after being put on injured reserve during the 2013 playoffs. Instead, he was recently released after an off-field traffic incident and leaves a hole at the linebacker position.
The starters from 2014, Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins, are recuperating from injuries. Hightower had offseason surgery on his shoulder after he played in pain during the playoffs. In fact, his Super Bowl saving tackle at the one-yard line of Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch on first down before Malcolm Butler’s interception.