Report: Hightower suffered minor MCL sprain; could play Week 2

New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower suffered a minor MCL sprain in Thursday night's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The Patriots' defensive stud was injured when a pile of players rolled onto his leg. He left the game with seven minutes to play in the third quarter and did not return.

Hightower's absence was immediately felt as the Chiefs' offense scored three touchdowns the rest of the way, often picking on Hightower's replacement Cassius Marsh.

The injury doesn't project to be a long-term one, however. With nine days between games, Hightower could play in the Patriots' Week 2 contest against the New Orleans Saints, Rapaport reports.

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