Given all the hubbub surrounding Rob Gronkowski's injury, the fact that the Patriots lost Dont'a Hightower during Sunday night's loss to the Broncos has flown under the radar.
The fourth-year linebacker left the game with 3:40 left in the second quarter due to a knee injury. He was announced by the Patriots as "questionable" to return to action, but he remained on the sidelines for the duration for the second half and never got back on the field.
On Monday, NFL Media's Albert Breer reported that Hightower is believed to have an MCL sprain.
Two plays after Hightower's departure, the Patriots showed some holes in their run defense, allowing Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman to run for a 19-yard touchdown that made the score 14-7.
Denver's offense finished with 179 rushing yards on 32 carries (a 5.6 yards-per-carry average) and three touchdowns in the game. Before Hightower exited, the Patriots had allowed just 46 yards on 16 carries (a 2.88 yards-per-carry average).