New England Patriots: Dont’a Hightower hopes to play in Week 1
By Nick Ziegler
The New England Patriots will be starting their season on Thursday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs. The hope is that linebacker Dont’a Hightower will be available.
After winning their fifth Super Bowl in February, the New England Patriots will be raising their fifth banner before the first game of the season. After a busy offseason, the Patriots will be trying to defend their title.
In the first game of the season, the Patriots will be tested early by the Kansas City Chiefs. Last season, the Chiefs were the AFC West Champions, but they once again came up short in the playoffs. However, as a playoff team last season, the Chiefs will be a good test early on.
Coming into Week 1, the Patriots will be hoping to have some key players healthy. On the defensive side of the ball, Dont’a Hightower will certainly be one of the players that the Patriots will hope to have on the field.
In the preseason, Hightower was held out of all four games, as he was on the PUP list for part of camp. Despite missing all of the preseason, Hightower is hopeful to be out there on Thursday night.
"“That’s the game plan, man,” he said Monday to Phil Perry of CSNNE.com. “But it’s been a long offseason and I’ve been working, and hopefully this progress will take me into Thursday and we’ll see from there.”"
As one of the best players on defense, Hightower is an important part of the schemes the Patriots will be running. Due to some of the losses on the edge for the Patriots, Hightower might be playing a somewhat different role for the team this season.
With the addition of David Harris this offseason, Hightower will be able to play more on the edge. As a good pass-rusher, Hightower might be able to have a great season if he is going to be used for putting pressure on the quarterback.
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After missing the entire preseason, there might be some rust for Hightower early on. However, it is certainly more important that he is healthy to start the season.