Dont'a Hightower, the New England Patriots' Pro Bowl linebacker. is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle, several media outlets reported.
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Hightower was hurt Sunday night when tackling Falcons running back Devonta Freeman during the game with the Falcons.
This season has not been kind to the 27-year-old Hightower. In week one, he suffered a knee injury against Kansas City, and he missed two games as a result.
Hightower left Sunday's game in the third quarter for what was originally described as a shoulder injury.
Hightower, a first-round pick in the 2012 draft, is a two-time Super Bowl champion who made the Pro Bowl last year.