News: Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower was officially ruled active for the Week 16 game at Jacksonville Sunday despite dealing with hamstring and shoulder issues. Hightower was limited in practice throughout the week with the injury and was labeled as questionable on Friday.
Analysis: Hightower missed some time earlier in the season but was expected to play against the Jaguars Sunday. The 22-year-old has not been all that productive this season for the Patriots. He has 51 tackles and three sacks and is a low-end IDP option in most formats.
News: Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower was officially ruled active for Sunday night's contest against the 49ers in Week 15 despite dealing with an ankle injury. Hightower was limited in practice throughout the week with the injury and was labeled as questionable on Friday.
Analysis: Hightower missed two games earlier in the season but was never in danger of missing Sunday's contest, so it's nice to see him active and ready to face the Niners. That said, the 22-year-old has not been that productive and has just 43 tackles this season. Consider him as a low-end IDP option in deeper formats heading into Week 15.
News: Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower has been limited in practice throughout the week with an ankle injury and is expected to suit up on Sunday at home against the 49ers in Week 15. Hightower is listed as questionable for Sunday's game with the injury.
Analysis: Hightower has missed two games earlier this season but shouldn't be in danger of missing any playing time come Sunday. Still, the 22-year-old has not been that productive and has just 43 tackles this season. Consider him as a low-end IDP option in deeper formats heading into Week 15.
News: New England linebacker Dont'a Hightower is active for the Week 14 Monday night game against Houston. Hightower had limited participation in practice over the weekend due to his hamstring issue, but it did not keep him from being ready to face the Texans.
Analysis: Hightower was inactive for two games earlier in the season but has been fine to play through his hamstring issue of late. He hasn't made a consistent impact, however, and has low-end value in IDP formats for Week 14.
News: New England linebacker Dont'a Hightower is listed as questionable to play in the Week 14 Monday night game against Houston. Hightower had limited participation in practice on Saturday due to his hamstring issue. That said, he's expected to play.
Analysis: Hightower was inactive for two games earlier in the season but has been fine to play through his hamstring issue of late. He hasn't made a consistent impact, however, and has low-end value in IDP formats for Week 14.
News: Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightowers had a limited effect on the game Sunday against the Dolphins in Week 13. He had just a pair of tackles in a 23-16 loss.
Analysis: Hightower continues to play through a hamstring injury, but he is struggling to make a consistent impact. At this point, leave the rookie for just the deepest of IDP formats.
News: Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower was able to play Sunday against the Dolphins in Week 13, despite being listed a as questionable on the injury report with a hamstring injury.
Analysis: Hightower has been able to play through the injury over the last few weeks, so his presence in the lineup should not come as much of a surprise. Keep the rookie active in deeper Fantasy IDP formats.
News: Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower (hamstring) was listed on Friday's injury report as questionable for Week 13 against the Dolphins.
Analysis: Hightower was questionable last week as well but ended up playing and recorded his third sack of the season. He should be able to suit up Sunday so continue to view the rookie as a viable option in deeper Fantasy IDP formats.
News: Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower had another decent performance against the Jets in Week 12. Hightower collected four tackles (three solo), including his third sack of the season in a 49-19 victory.
Analysis: Hightower was able to shake off a hamstring injury and pick up his first sack since Week 7 against the Jets. He has 35 tackles through nine games this season and should be viewed as a low-end IDP option heading into Week 12 at Miami.
News: New England linebacker Dont'a Hightower was listed as active for Thursday night's division showdown against the Jets in Week 12 despite dealing with a lingering hamstring injury.
Analysis: The rookie out of Alabama is having a solid season with 31 tackles and two sacks. If he is able to play Thursday night, consider the 22-year-old a low-end option in IDP formats now that he is ready to go against the Jets.
News: Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower was listed as questionable on Wednesday' injury report for Week 12 against the Jets. He continues to be slowed by a lingering hamstring injury.
Analysis: Hightower has made an impact during his rookie campaign with 31 tackles and two sacks. If he is able to play Thursday night, consider the 22-year-old a low-end option in IDP formats.
News: New England linebacker Dont'a Hightower (hamstring) is active for the Week 10 game against Buffalo. Hightower was questionable entering Sunday but has been listed on the injury report with this hamstring issue for several weeks now without missing time.
Analysis: The rookie out of Alabama is having a solid season and has only been inactive for two games. He's been active for the last three, including Week 10, so that hamstring issue is officially behind him. Still, he is more of a low-end Fantasy option in IDP formats for now.
News: Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower was active and in uniform for Week 8 against the Rams Sunday, the second game in a row that he has been able to play through a hamstring injury. Hightower had a sack in last week’s game.
Analysis: Hightower has been solid as a rookie, but injuries have been an issue. As long as he is healthy, he seems to be a useful Fantasy option, so keep him active in deeper IDP formats for Week 8.
News: New England linebacker Dont'a Hightower returned to game action and finished with a season-high seven tackles during the Patriots' 29-26 overtime victory over the Jets in Week 7. Hightower, who also tallied a sack, was active after missing the past two games with a hamstring injury.
Analysis: Hightower, the team's first-round selection out of Alabama, offers plenty of potential as part of a solid linebacker corps that includes Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes. Injuries have taken a bite out of his production, but he has shown glimpses of his ability and now has two sacks over his past two games played. That number should continue to rise for the 22-year-old and he's certainly worth tracking in most Fantasy IDP formats.
News: Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower was inactive for the second straight game in Week 6 against the Seahawks as he continued to deal with a hamstring injury.
Analysis: Hightower has racked up 17 tackles and also has a sack through his first four games in the NFL. Owners in IDP formats should continue to monitor his status to see when the rookie will return to the field. When healthy, Hightower should be considered a low-end Fantasy option.
News: Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower was a limited participant in practice for the third straight day Friday as the team makes its final preparations for Week 6 at Seattle. Hightower, who has been hobbled with a hamstring injury, is listed as questionable and will likely be a game-time decision.
Analysis: Hightower missed last week's game against the Broncos and could be in jeopardy again of missing his second straight game. He has been pretty productive as a rookie when on the field and has 17 tackles and a sack in his first four games. Fantasy owners should view him as a low-end IDP option, when healthy.
News: Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower was listed as inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Broncos as he continues to deal with a hamstring issue.
Analysis: Hightower has been pretty productive as a rookie, with 17 tackles and a sack in his first four games. He'll have to wait another week before he can produce defensively. Fantasy owners should view him as a low-end IDP option when healthy.
News: Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower was limited in practice all week leading up to Week 5 against the Broncos with a hamstring injury. He is considered questionable for the contest, and should be a game-time call.
Analysis: Hightower has been pretty productive as a rookie, with 17 tackles and a sack in his first four games. Hopefully, he is able to play through this injury, as he would be a low-end Fantasy option in deeper IDP formats against the Broncos.
News: Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower was fairly productive in Week 3 against the Ravens. Hightower finished with five solo tackles in the 31-30 defeat, which ranked fourth highest on the team. He now has 15 total tackles on the season.
Analysis: Hightower has now recorded five tackles in each of his first three games this season but has only really made one-game changing play. While he can be counted on for a cheap low-end source for tackles, his lack of turnovers and sacks continues to limit his value. Consider Hightower merely a low-end option in deeper IDP formats heading into Week 4.
News: Patriots rookie linebacker Dont'a Hightower had a solid 2012 season debut Sunday at the Titans. Hightower had five tackles, four solo, and he recovered a fumble for a 6-yard touchdown.
Analysis: Hightower is a low-end Fantasy option, but his value could rise if he continues to play like this and make game-changing plays. He is not worth adding yet, but keep an eye on his progress heading into Week 2 against the Cardinals. With another strong performance you might add Hightower off the waiver wire.
News: The Patriots moved up twice in the 2012 NFL Draft, spending the No. 25 pick on Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower, their second first-round pick. Hightower, who is 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, played for Bill Belichick pal Nick Saban on Alabama teams that won the NCAA championship twice in the past three years. He was a leader of the unit that led the nation in rushing defense, allowing 72 yards per game, and total defense (183 yards per game). Hightower, 22, was a finalist for the Bednarik, Butkus and Lombardi awards and a first-team All-America selection with 40 tackles and 45 assists to go with four sacks as a senior last year. "Hightower's been in a great program for a great coach, won a couple of national championships, been the signal-caller for that defense," Belichick said. "He played middle linebacker, inside linebacker off the line for Alabama in their base defense and nickel, but he also played defensive end in their nickel, opposite (Courtney) Upshaw. He rarely came off the field, defensively."
Analysis: Fantasy owners should like the Hightower pick as he's got the potential to stay on the field for the Patriots regardless of formation or down and distance. That could lead to some quality stats sooner than later for him. Even though he'll be the strong-side linebacker, we think he could be useful right away as at the very least a reserve Fantasy LB. Draft him with a middle- to late-round pick in seasonal leagues, a middle-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-round choice in rookie-only drafts.
