New England Patriots’ LB Dont’a Hightower could play in Week 2

The New England Patriots’ may have dodged a bullet with starting inside linebacker Dont’a Hightower.

The Patriots got some good news after their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night to kick off the NFL regular season. Starting inside linebacker Dont’a Hightower suffered only a mild MCL sprain. He could play in Week 2.

Hightower left the game in the third quarter against the Chiefs after having player roll up on his lower body. He immediately went to the medical tent before coming back out and riding the stationary bike. The Patriots declared him questionable to return to the game.

Video from the play looks as though he may have been lucky to come out of it with only a mild sprain.

A loss for an extended period from Hightower could have made the Patriots opening loss go from bad to worse. They lost to Kansas City 42-17 with the Chiefs finishing the game with 21 unanswered points after his exit.

Hightower looked good early on and was an anchor to a Patriots defense that does not have many big names up front. When Hightower left the game, Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt took off.

Hunt finished with 17 carries for 148 yards and touchdown. He added 5 receptions for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns. His total of 246 all purpose yards were a rookie record in their NFL debut.

The Patriots will need to solve some defensive issues after surrendering over 500 yards of total offense to the Chiefs. Luckily, they will have Hightower back to hopefully play more like they did in the first two quarters than in the last two.

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Hightower, given the extended break that playing on Thursday night gives New England, is expected back in week two. The Patriots face the offensive power house of the New Orleans Saints. Drew Brees and company are licking their chops to get a shot at the defending champs.