Hightower is questionable to return to Sunday's game at Dallas due to a rib injury.

Hightower was a force before his departure, racking up four tackles and a sack in less than a quarter. If he fails to return, his status will be one to watch as Week 6 preparation commences Wednesday.

Hightower (shoulder) was on the field for 41 of 57 defensive snaps in Sunday's 51-17 win over the Jaguars, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

Hightower and Jamie Collins (47 snaps) continue to head the Patriots' linebacking corps in terms of playing time, though Hightower was credited with just on tackle in Week 3. Entering the contest, he had recorded 20 tackles over the Patriots' first two games, so it's reasonable to expect a statistical bounce-back once the Patriots return to action following their Week 4 bye.

Hightower (shoulder) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

As expected, Hightower is out there if you need him Sunday, and after having notched 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks in two games thus far, he's on the IDP radar.

Hightower (shoulder) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

After practicing fully Friday, Hightower looks good to go this week. Through the Patriots' first two game, the linebacker has been a useful IDP, having notched 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks thus far.

Hightower (shoulder) was limited at practice Wednesday, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

Hightower had offseason shoulder surgery, but at this stage it's unclear if his limitations Wednesday are related to that issue. The fact that the linebacker practiced in some capacity, however, hints that a serious injury setback is not in play here.

Hightower was on the field for 69 of the Patriots' 72 snaps on defense in Sunday's win over the Bills, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

In the process, Hightower racked up 12 tackles and half a sack in the game, bringing his two-game totals in those categories to a fantasy-friendly 20 and 1.5 respectively.

Hightower was on the field for 61 of 73 defensive snaps in Thursday's season opener against the Steelers, ESPN.com reports.

Fellow LB Jamie Collins -- who notched six tackles Thursday -- was on the field for all 73 snaps, but Hightower parlayed his 61 snaps into a solid IDP effort in the Patriots' opener, recording eight tackles and a sack.

Hightower was on the field for 24 of 76 defensive snaps in Friday's preseason game against the Panthers, ESPN.com's Mike Reiss reports.

Though Hightower only recorded one tackle in his limited work Friday, the more important thing to glean in his first game action of the preseason, is that the Patriots' starting linebacker -- who notched 89 tackles and six sacks in 12 games last season -- appears past his offseason shoulder surgery.

Hightower (shoulder) practiced Thursday, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reports.

While Hightower may be eased back in, the fact that he avoided the Patriots' preseason PUP list suggests that he is progressing in a positive direction with regard to being at or near full speed to start the season. The 25-year-old linebacker -- who recorded 89 tackles and six sacks in 12 games last season - underwent shoulder labrum surgery back on Feb. 10.

The Patriots will pick up Hightower's (shoulder) fifth-year contract option for the 2016 season, the Boston Herald reports.

Per the report, Hightower's fifth-year option is worth $7.751  million and would be in line to be fully guaranteed at the start of the 2016 league year. The 25-year-old linebacker -- who recorded 89 tackles and six sacks in 12 games last season -- underwent shoulder surgery back on Feb. 10. As a result, at this stage, his status for the Patriots' regular-season opener has yet to be solidified.

Hightower (shoulder) will likely need six or seven months to recover from surgery to repair a torn labrum, the Boston Herald reports.

Hightower played through the injury for the entire postseason, but he may not be ready by Week 1. He should return to a starting role whenever he's healthy enough to do so.

Hightower will undergo labrum surgery in the offseason, Ian Rappoport of NFL Network reports.

Hightower was reportedly playing through Sunday's Super Bowl with just one good arm, but still managed to take down Marshawn Lynch short of the goal line the play before Malcolm Brown intercepted Russell Wilson to seal the victory. While it appears he is headed for offseason surgery, it shouldn't be anything that causes him to miss the beginning of the 2015 season barring something unforeseen.

Hightower (shoulder) is active for Sunday's Super Bowl against the Seahawks.

Hightower landed on the injury report with a shoulder injury, but it was never considered to be overly serious. Look for him to resume his regular role at outside linebacker.

Hightower (shoulder) is not listed on the Patriots' injury report in advance of Saturday's divisional round playoff game against the Ravens.

The Patriots played it safe with Hightower in their regular season finale, but he's good to go for Saturday's playoff tilt, coming off a 2014 campaign in which he racked up 89 tackles and six sacks in 12 games.

Hightower (shoulder) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bills.

With the Patriots having clinched the top seed in the AFC, Hightower is among the banged up players the team will sit Sunday, with an eye toward having them healthy for the divisional round of the playoffs.

Hightower (shoulder) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Hightower recorded eight tackles and half a sack in Week 15, while seeing full-time duty in the Patriots' defense. To date, Hightower has racked up 80 tackles and five sacks in 11 games and as long as he can stay on the field, he'll remain on the IDP radar.

Hightower (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, the Patriots' official site reports.

We'll verify Hightower's status Sunday, but with no reported setbacks in Week 15, we'd expect him to be able to continue to see full-time work in the New England defense once again this weekend.

Hightower (shoulder) was on the field for all 78 snaps on defense in Sunday's win over the Dolphins, ESPN.com reports.

In the process, Hightower recorded eight tackles and half a sack. With his full-time status re-established, the linebacker once again merits fantasy consideration.

Hightower (shoulder) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Hightower, who returns to action after a one-game absence, checks in with 72 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 10 games to date. Assuming no setbacks, he and Jamie Collins are in line to handle the bulk of the team's linebacking duties on Sunday.

Hightower (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, ESPN.com reports.

Given that Hightower missed last week's game against the Chargers, he isn't a lock to play Sunday against the Dolphins, though once he reestablishes his health, the linebacker merits IDP consideration. In his last outing, Hightower recorded 10 tackles in Week 13.