Dont'a Hightower, Nate Solder Suffer Injuries In Patriots' Win Over Cowboys
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots' 24-point victory over the Cowboys in Dallas was not a complete party, as New England suffered a pair of injuries to two key players.
The first came late in the first quarter, when Dont'a Hightower stayed down on the field after tackling running back Joseph Randle. Hightower suffered a rib injury on the play, and his return was initially deemed questionable. However coming out of halftime, the Patriots announced that Hightower had been downgraded to out.
Solder suffered his injury late in the second quarter, and he too was downgraded to "out" after initially being deemed "questionable" to return.
The two were having very different games before their injuries. Hightower was making a positive impact on defense, recording four tackles and sacking Brandon Weeden on a third down to force a punt. Solder, on the other hand, was struggling to contain defensive end Greg Hardy, leading to Tom Brady taking a heavy hit from the menacing pass rusher.
The extent of the two injuries is not yet known.
"The fact that we talked to him is fairly significant," ESPN's Mike Reiss said on Sports Final after the game. "A lot of times if a player has a very significant injury, you won't see him in the locker room after the game. So take that for what it's worth, that he was available."
Solder said it was "too hard to tell" if it's a long-term injury.
On the flip side, Hightower was not present when the locker room opened to the media.
The Patriots next play Sunday night in Indianapolis before hosting the Jets in Week 7.