Injury updates: Patrick Chung to have surgery, Dont’a Hightower in a walking boot

The New England Patriots won Super Bowl 53 and left everything they had on the field, leading to a few injuries. Defensive back Patrick Chung broke his arm during the game and linebacker Dont’a Hightower was nicked up as well.

Chung is about to start his road to recovery and there’s nothing to worry about with Hightower, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe.

“Patrick Chung is scheduled for surgery tomorrow on his broken forearm, per source,” Howe reports. “Then in about three weeks, he’ll have shoulder surgery to clean up an issue he played through for most of the season. Due to the shoulder recovery, he’ll likely miss all of OTAs and return in camp.”

Chung is the most versatile player on the Patriots defense, playing safety, nickelback, linebacker, and even taking some snaps on the edge. Hopefully he can make a speedy recovery.

Hightower, on the other hand, is only dealing with a minor injury despite wearing a walking boot to the Super Bowl parade.

“Dont’a Hightower was in a walking boot yesterday during the parade, but there’s no cause for alarm,” Howe also reported. “Just a minor toe sprain, per source. The boot was in place to keep the foot comfortable with everything happening during the day.”

Hightower was arguably the MVP of the Patriots during the Super Bowl, as he always is on the biggest stage, so it’s great to see that he’s not dealing with anything serious- and hopefully he can take that high level of play he showed during the playoffs and have a dominant 2019 season.