New England Patriots will miss Dont’a Hightower vs Los Angeles Chargers
New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower will be out this week against the Los Angeles Chargers, presenting a big problem for New England.
The New England Patriots have struggled on defense all season. They are currently ranked last in the NFL in yards allowed per game, giving up 426.7 yards. They are ranked last in passing yards allowed and 22nd in rushing yards allowed per game.
The Patriots have looked better in recent weeks defensively, as they slowed down the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football. However, they will face a stiff challenge this week without linebacker Dont’a Hightower.
Hightower will miss this week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers because of a shoulder injury. Hightower has already missed two games this season, as he sat out against the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans.
Boston Herald Patriots beat writer, Jeff Howe, reported that Hightower will miss the matchup against the Chargers.
Dont’a Hightower won’t play Sunday against the Chargers and could be out a bit longer after that due to shoulder injury, per source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) October 25, 2017
Losing Hightower is bad news for the Patriots defense. The injury occurred during the Patriots game last week against the Falcons when he tackled running back Devonta Freeman in the third quarter.
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Hightower is the anchor of the defensive unit, and without him, the Patriots are just not the same. While the Patriots have struggled even when Hightower was in the lineup this season, they are better when he is on the field. Part of the reason is that they don’t really have anyone capable of replacing him.
That will cause the Patriots to adjust their game plan defensively as well. Not having a replacement for Hightower is tough enough. Adding to the problem is that the Patriots will need someone to make the defensive calls and signals; that is normally Hightower’s job but someone else will have to do it this week.
Given the Patriots’ opponent this week, Hightower’s loss will definitely be felt. The Chargers have a lot of weapons offensively, so not having Hightower in the middle will hurt. Melvin Gordon will be someone that could give the Patriots problems with their best linebacker sidelined.
Gordon is one of the best running backs in the league. He is a true three-down threat as he has improved a lot as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Without Hightower, the Patriots will be hard pressed to slow down Gordon.
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Replacing a player as integral to your gameplan as Hightower is never easy. It is something the Patriots have at least had to do this season and throughout his career; it is just something Bill Belichick would prefer to not have to do as Hightower is an important part of their defense.