Being without Jerod Mayo and/or Dont'a Hightower at the start of the 2015 season would be a worst-case scenario for the defending Super Bowl champions. It's uncertain how quickly Mayo will return to the lineup, but Hightower isn't expected to be ready until August, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.
As head coach Bill Belichick's wont to do, the New England Patriots have prepared for the worst by signing veteran linebackers Dane Fletcher and Brandon Spikes.
Thanks to these two moves, the Patriots can insert two experienced linebackers into their lineup if two of their stars are unavailable to begin the 2015 season.