Hightower was a limited participant in Friday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

Hightower appears to be nursing a knee injury of undisclosed severity. It remains to be seen whether the veteran linebacker's availability for Monday's game against the Bills is in danger, but Saturday's final injury report should shed some light on the situation. If Hightower were sidelined for any amount of time, Nicholas Grigsby would receive an uptick in defensive snaps.

Hightower recorded two tackles, an interception and a pass defensed across 50 defensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Chiefs.

EDGE Analysis

This is Hightower's seventh season in the league, but Sunday night marked the first time he has recorded an interception. He returned the Patrick Mahomes attempted pass to the Chiefs' four-yard line, leading to a Sony Michel touchdown run on the next play. Hightower played in 93 percent of the Patriots' defensive snaps Sunday night, trailing only Kyle Van Noy in the linebacker department.

Hightower (pectoral) was a full participant in minicamp this month, Zack Cox of NESN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hightower is bouncing back from a torn pectoral that required season-ending surgery last November. The linebacker was eased into drills during the start of OTAs, but his full participation in minicamp suggests the linebacker has returned to full strength. Considering how the Patriots defense took a step back in his absence last year, Hightower's availability is undoubtedly a great thing for New England in advance of the 2018 campaign.

Hightower (pectoral) was a full participant in OTAs on Thursday, Kevin Duffy of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hightower is still recovering from a pectoral injruy that has had him sidelined since October, and he was a limited participant in last week's OTAs. However, with a full session Thursday, it looks like Hightower's goal of returning for training camp is still on track to be achieved. Hightower enters the 2018 campaign looking to put together his first full season since 2013.

Hightower (pectoral) was a limited participant in OTAs on Thursday, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Having been sidelined since late October, Hightower appears on pace to be ready for training camp -- the initial goal. Before the 2017 campaign, Hightower had five straight seasons with 60-plus tackles. For those looking to utilize Hightower in IDP settings, it's important to note he hasn't played more than 13 games in a season since 2013.

Hightower (pectoral) currently appears on track to be available for the 2018 season opener, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hightower has seemed to avoid any setbacks in his recovery thus far, which makes him a realistic candidate to be available for the start of the 2018 season. The 27-year-old underwent season-ending pectoral surgery in late October, and the Patriots could very well express additional caution bringing him back given the linebacker's injury history.

Hightower (pectoral) was placed on injured injured reserve Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hightower underwent season-ending pectoral surgery nearly two weeks ago and has now officially been placed on injured reserve. Now, without both Hightower and fellow linebacker Shea McClellin (concussion), the Patriots will have to rely on their depth at the position for the remainder of the season, starting with David Harris and Marquis Flowers.

Hightower underwent season-ending surgery Thursday to repair a torn pectoral muscle, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Reports surfaced earlier Thursday that Hightower would be shut down for the season with the pectoral injury, but the Patriots waited until the linebacker received a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews before offering confirmation. With Andrew concluding that Hightower would require surgery, the Patriots wasted no time in having the 27-year-old undergo the procedure. Hightower is expected to make a full recovery in advance of the 2018 season, but the Patriots may have to lean more heavily on the likes of reserve linebackers David Harris and Marquis Flowers for the remainder of the current campaign.

Hightower (pectoral) is scheduled to visit Dr. James Andrews for an evaluation Thursday, after which the Patriots will have a better idea regarding the extent of his injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's believed that Hightower is dealing with a torn pectoral muscle, but he'll visit Andrews for a second opinion with the hope of hearing better news. If Andrews confirms the initial diagnosis, Hightower would likely require season-ending surgery to address the injury, creating a significant void on the second level for the Patriots. David Harris would likely be first in line to move into the starting lineup in Hightower's stead, but Shea McClellin (undisclosed) could enter the mix as well once's activated from injured reserve. McClellin is said to be progressing well from his unspecified injury and is eligible to be activated as soon as Nov. 12 against the Broncos.

Hightower has been diagnosed with a torn pectoral muscle and will miss the remainder of the season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hightower had already been ruled out this Sunday, but Thursday morning's news serves as a devastating blow to a defense that had already been struggling this year. Over five games this season, Hightower had collected 14 combined tackles and two sacks. This is his sixth season with New England, and will mark his first year in which he fails to amass 60 total tackles. In Hightower's stead, look for Marquis Flowers to fill in at linebacker unless the Patriots look outside the organization for a replacement. When Hightower missed two games earlier this year, Flowers saw an uptick in snaps and made three combined tackles.