Report: Patriots' Hightower opts out of season
New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower is opting out of the season due to coronavirus concerns after having a child earlier in the month, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Hightower becomes the most high-profile player thus far to skip the 2020 season and joins a collection of Patriots to do so.
Hightower is the third Patriots starter to sit out the upcoming campaign, following in the footsteps of right tackle Marcus Cannon - a cancer survivor - and fullback Dan Vitale.
Patriots opting out of 2020 season
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| LB | Dont'a Hightower |
| RT | Marcus Cannon |
| FB | Dan Vitale |
| RB | Brandon Bolden |
| G | Najee Toran |
The Patriots now must replace three of their top linebackers from a year ago, as they lost Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy in free agency. Hightower has been a key defensive cog for the Patriots since 2012, helping deliver the franchise three Super Bowl titles.
With the opt outs, the Patriots will gain over $14 million in cap space for the 2020 season, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
Hightower posted 71 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2019 en route to his first Pro Bowl selection since 2016.