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FOXBORO, Mass. — It appears highly unlikely New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower will be healthy enough to play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
Hightower, who suffered a knee injury in the Patriots’ Week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals, missed his third consecutive practice Friday.
The 26-year-old team captain has appeared in all 16 games just once in his four-year NFL career, and injuries limited him to 12 games in each of the last two seasons.
Cornerback Eric Rowe also was absent after injuring his ankle during Thursday’s session. Every other Patriots player, including tight end Rob Gronkowski, who did not play against the Cardinals, was present at practice.
Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images