Patriots’ Hightower faces shoulder surgery


Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is stopped short of the goal line by New England Patriots outside linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower will have surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, according to NFL.com.

Hightower suffered the injury in Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers. He sat out Week 14 and 17 but otherwise played through it.

He was in on a game-saving tackle on Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch in the final seconds of the Patriots’ 28-24 win in the Super Bowl.

Hightower, 24, missed two other games with a knee injury.