Hightower joins fellow Patriots running back Brandon Bolden, FB Danny Vitale, OT Marcus Cannon, and OL Najee Toran, who have all decided to opt out well before the season is set to start. As per agreement with the Players Association, players considered high risk will receive $350,000, while players who opt out not considered high risk, will receive $150,000.

Playing without Hightower will be a big hit to the Patriots’ defense. The 30-year-old is a team captain and calls the defensive signals. He was set to take an even larger role on the field this year after linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins left via free agency.

The versatile linebacker has played all over the field for the Patriots and has made some big plays in the playoffs to help New England win 3 Super Bowls during his career. The Covid-19 pandemic adds additional intrigue to a tumultuous offseason for the Patriots, after franchise QB Tom Brady signed with Tampa Bay in March.

The post Hightower Joins Long List of Patriots Opting Out of 2020 Season appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement, NFL and the NFL Players’ Association already agreed to reduce the postseason to three games starting from 2021. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the two sides are reportedly now having discussions to introduce the reduction one year earlier.

Having a shorter preseason makes sense, as it would give teams a better chance to successfully cope with the logistical challenges of the ongoing health crisis. Also, players would have more time to get into game shape after a prolonged period of inactivity.

The NFL is expected to make several other tweaks in the future in order to position themselves for a problem-free regular season. As of now, there are no indications that the start of the 2020 NFL season might be in jeopardy.

The post NFL Reportedly Considers Reducing the Postseason to 2 Games appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Hightower joins fellow Patriots running back Brandon Bolden, FB Danny Vitale, OT Marcus Cannon, and OL Najee Toran, who have all decided to opt out well before the season is set to start. As per agreement with the Players Association, players considered high risk will receive $350,000, while players who opt out not considered high risk, will receive $150,000.

Playing without Hightower will be a big hit to the Patriots’ defense. The 30-year-old is a team captain and calls the defensive signals. He was set to take an even larger role on the field this year after linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins left via free agency.

The versatile linebacker has played all over the field for the Patriots and has made some big plays in the playoffs to help New England win 3 Super Bowls during his career. The Covid-19 pandemic adds additional intrigue to a tumultuous offseason for the Patriots, after franchise QB Tom Brady signed with Tampa Bay in March.

The post Hightower Joins Long List of Patriots Opting Out of 2020 Season appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement, NFL and the NFL Players’ Association already agreed to reduce the postseason to three games starting from 2021. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the two sides are reportedly now having discussions to introduce the reduction one year earlier.

Having a shorter preseason makes sense, as it would give teams a better chance to successfully cope with the logistical challenges of the ongoing health crisis. Also, players would have more time to get into game shape after a prolonged period of inactivity.

The NFL is expected to make several other tweaks in the future in order to position themselves for a problem-free regular season. As of now, there are no indications that the start of the 2020 NFL season might be in jeopardy.

The post NFL Reportedly Considers Reducing the Postseason to 2 Games appeared first on yoursportspot.com.