Dont'a Hightower Injury: Updates on Patriots Star's Shoulder and Recovery

New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower is a Super Bowl champion, but he'll need to heal up before next season following shoulder surgery he underwent Feb. 10.

Continue for updates.

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Hightower 'Faces Long Recovery'

Saturday, Feb. 21

Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reported that Hightower faces a lengthy recovery process:

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Hightower’s recovery is expected to span six or seven months, according to a source. The Patriots officially open training camp around July 29, and a six-month window would have Hightower ready Aug. 10. The seven-month window would put him in line to be ready for the regular-season opener around Sept. 10.

Because it’s so early, it’s virtually impossible to narrow down Hightower’s return date. If he recovers quickly, it’s not unreasonable to believe he could be on the field for the start of training camp. After all, he displayed his toughness by playing through the severe injury, and made a Super Bowl-saving tackle by fighting through a block and stopping Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch at the 1-yard line before Malcolm Butler’s interception.

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Howe also noted that Hightower's injury could impact how the team approaches re-negotiating Jerrod Mayo's contract:

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Hightower’s surgery could have other implications, too, if the Patriots are figuring out a way to massage Jerod Mayo’s $10.287 million cap hit in 2015. Mayo already had some leverage with his $4.5 million injury guarantee, but the possibility of heading to camp without Hightower should restrict the Pats’ thoughts of taking a hardline stance during any potential restructuring negotiations

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Hightower Undergoes Surgery, Begins Rehab

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Hightower posted a photo to Instagram after surgery:

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Doctors Ruled Hightower's Shoulder Requires Surgery

Monday, Feb. 2

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Hightower will need to have surgery and recover from a shoulder injury he played with during the Patriots' championship campaign:

For the Patriots, losing Hightower would have been devastating, so it's easy to understand why the linebacker sacrificed for the team. New England's defense had already been hit by injuries at the position during the season, most notably to Jerod Mayo in October that ended with him being put on injured reserve. 

Hightower's importance to Bill Belichick's defense can't be overstated. In addition to his natural tackling ability, the former Alabama star was second on the team with six sacks. 

Hightower adds a unique dimension to the Patriots defense, and Belichick will certainly need him healthy for next season. He may not be the focal point of the group, but his role serves the larger purpose in a way that makes him invaluable to the Patriots.