Dont'a Hightower

The second Sunday of the 2021 season provided significant developments across the NFL. Adam Schein identifies the nine biggest statements from Week 2, spotlighting inspired defensive showings by the Cowboys and Patriots, as well as another prolific outing from Derrick Henry.

With the 2021 NFL campaign about to kick off, Judy Battista identifies 56 things to watch en route to Super Bowl LVI. What can we expect from the first 17-game regular season? Which showdowns will be must-see TV?

Did Teddy Bridgewater pull into the lead in the Broncos' QB race? Is Micah Parsons the new face of the Cowboys' defense? How did Justin Fields fare in his second pro outing? Gregg Rosenthal identifies the winners and losers of NFL Preseason Week 2.

Which players are poised to cash in on the 2021 NFL season? Gregg Rosenthal provides an early look at the top 25 free agents in 2022, and the class is absolutely loaded with talented pass catchers and defensive backs.

Will edge rusher Arden Key flash for the 49ers against the Chargers on Sunday night? Chase Goodbread identifies one thing to watch for from all 32 teams in preseason Week 2.

Stopping today's high-octane offenses is a tough job, but somebody has to do it. Adam Schein projects the top nine NFL defenses in 2021. Who claims the No. 1 spot? Which stout units just missed the cut?

After a flurry of offseason activity, are the Patriots ready to return to their winning ways? Adam Rank explores the state of the franchise entering the 2021 campaign.

Will the Bills solve an O-line spot in front of Josh Allen? Can Cam Newton hold off Mac Jones for the Pats' QB job? Jeremy Bergman sets the stage for each AFC East team heading into training camp.

Will Myles Garrett have his best season yet in Cleveland? Can Carson Wentz regain his form in Indy? What impact will Julio Jones have in Tennessee? Dan Hanzus predicts each AFC team's MVP for the 2021 season.

The absence of Dont'a Hightower and others who opted out added to the struggles in the first season of the post-Tom Brady era. Now that he's back, the LB has the date with his former QB circled on the calendar.

Are the Bills loaded enough on offense to knock off the Chiefs? Is Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa poised for a breakout campaign? What's the current makeup of the Patriots and Jets? Gregg Rosenthal projects the starters for every AFC East team.

In this edition of the Scout's Notebook, Bucky Brooks explains why the Patriots' throwback approach should frighten the rest of the NFL. Plus, five surprising free-agent signings and more.

New England is set to welcome back three significant players who opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic -- linebacker Dont'a Hightower, safety Patrick Chung and offensive tackle Marcus Cannon -- NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

New England lost more than 2,500 linebacker snaps from last season with Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts leaving in free agency and Dont'a Hightower opting out. Will Ja'Whaun Bentley pick up the slack?

NFL training camps are open, but the league is facing unprecedented challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic. Gregg Rosenthal examines how opt-outs and positive tests are impacting rosters and the free agents who remain.

Under the amended collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFL Players Association, agreed to on July 24, players have the choice to opt out of the 2020 NFL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two massive pieces of the New England Patriots' defense decided to opt out of the 2020 season: LB Dont'a Hightower and safety Patrick Chung. The defenders will receive a $150,000 salary advance, and their contracts will toll.

Which pass rushers were the most disruptive in 2019? Nick Shook dives into Next Gen Stats to find the answer, and he delivers a top-10 list with some surprises.

With the 2020 NFL Draft right around the corner, Charley Casserly digs into the men who'll be making the selections. What does each general manager's track record look like? Here are the best picks, value picks and tendencies for everyone.

Will the 2020 NFL postseason field NOT include Deshaun Watson's Texans or Bill Belichick's Patriots? Marc Sessler spotlights three 2019 playoff teams heading in the wrong direction this offseason.

Gil Brandt jumps back eight years and re-picks the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Who goes No. 1 overall? Do teams pounce on Ryan Tannehill, or do the Miami Dolphins get another chance?

In Charles Davis' first mock draft of 2020, he has a top defensive prospect falling out of the top 10 while three quarterbacks come off the board in the top five.

Super Bowl LIV's nearly upon us, but 30 teams already have begun the effort to reach Tampa a year from now for Super Bowl LV. Gregg Rosenthal supplies one thing each AFC team can do to supplant the Chiefs as conference champions.

An NFL tripleheader -- with every game airing live on NFL Network -- offers up three games brimming with playoff implications and high-profile talent.

Now that the 2020 Pro Bowl rosters have been revealed, Nick Shook identifies 10 snubs. Should the Vikings' Kirk Cousins be on the NFC roster instead of the Packers' Aaron Rodgers?

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks compare the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots rosters ahead of their matchup in Week 4.

New England Patriots linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Dont'a Hightower corral Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for big third-down sack.

NFL Network's Michael Robinson and DeAngelo Hall discuss players who missed '20 season we're excited to see in '21.

'Around The NFL' crew shares their 2021 NFL Comeback Player of the Year candidates.

The Patriots have been busy, but are they better? We take a statistical deep dive into New England's revamped roster.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport shares the three New England Patriots players expected to play in 2021.

NFL Media's Judy Battista breaks down some of the most notable storylines from her annual article previewing the top narratives of the upcoming NFL season.

NFL Network's Pelissero details implications of New England Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower and Brandon Bolden opting out of 2020.

Watch the Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots highlights from Week 16 of the 2019 season.

New England Patriots swarm Josh Allen for critical third-down sack.

Watch the highlights from the Week 11 game between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles.

New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower gets the third-down sack on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz.

New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower recovers fumble for touchdown.

Watch the highlights from the week 3 game between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots.

The Patriots became the second team in NFL history to hold an opponent without a touchdown in a Super Bowl. Here are the defense's top plays.

New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff for a loss of 9 yards.

NFL Network's Mike Giardi reports on New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower missing walkthrough practice for Super Bowl LIII due to illness.

NFL Network's Willie McGinest catches up with New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower at Super Bowl LIII Opening Night.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws for three touchdowns and the Chicago Bears' last-second Hail Mary attempt comes up just short in a 38-31 Patriots victory in Week 7 of NFL action.

New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower blocks the Bears punt and linebacker Kyle Van Noy scoops it up and runs it in for a touchdown.

Watch the highlights from the Week 6 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots.

Watch a new aerial view of Dont'a Hightower's first-quarter interception against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the Week 6 matchup at Gillette Stadium in the 2018 season.

New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower snags interception with quick hands.

Watch the highlights from the Houston Texans-New England Patriots matchup in Week 1 of the 2018 season.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is not on the same page as running back Lamar Miller and the ball ends up on the ground for New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower to recover.