Dont’a Hightower to start training camp on the PUP list

New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower will start the training camp on the PUP list, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
Hightower has been battling injuries throughout his entire career as he played more than 1,000 snaps in only two of his five seasons in the NFL. While he missed three games in the 2016 regular season, the former Alabama player played all snaps in the Patriots’ Divisional Playoff game against Houston and was on the field for all but one snap in the Super Bowl.
One of Hightower’s biggest strengths has been his versatility and the number of places he can line up in New England’s defense. Although he played 70.9 percent of his snaps at inside linebacker through the first 14 weeks, he lined up at edge defender on 51.7 percent of his snaps from Week 15 on.
Hightower has also been among the best blitzing linebackers in the league as he led all inside linebackers with 30 total pressures in 2014 and ranked third in 2016 with 21 total pressures.