Six Patriots players, including three starters, opt out of 2020 NFL season
The New England Patriots knew that if they hoped to win a 12th straight AFC East division title, it would be without quarterback Tom Brady, who signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent.
But they’ll also enter the 2020 season missing a starting offensive lineman and safety as well as a star linebacker.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that New England linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who recently became a father, is opting out of the 2020 season. Schefter said Hightower is the sixth Patriots player to skip the upcoming season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Me and my fiancée are just more concerned with the health of our family than football — especially the new addition to our family,” Hightower said, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
A few hours after the news of Hightower, New England safety Patrick Chung also said he was sitting out, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported.
The other Patriots sitting out are Marcus Cannon, a starting offensive tackle, guard Najee Toran, running back Brandon Bolden and fullback Danny Vitale.
Bleacher Reported noted that Patriots coach Bill Belichick calls Hightower “Mr. February.”
The absence of Chung and Hightower means the Patriots will be without five key players from last year’s defense:
The Patriots players joined Chiefs’ offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and former Chiefs receiver De’Anthony Thomas in skipping the 2020 season because of the pandemic.
On Tuesday, others joined the list of NFL players who opted out:
This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 9:35 AM.
