Report: Patriots' Dont'a Hightower may not be ready to start season after shoulder surgery

The New England Patriots could be forced to start 2015 without a key member of their defense. 

Linebacker Dont'a Hightower may not be ready for Week 1 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum on Feb. 10, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.

Volin notes that Hightower may need as much as six to seven months of recovery time and that the 25-year-old played through the injury during the playoffs. 

Hightower has developed into a versatile option for the Pats, having recorded 89 tackles and six sacks in 2014. New England moved him inside when Jerod Mayo went down with injury. 

The Patriots have lost Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner and Vince Wilfork this offseason, so they will no doubt be counting on Hightower and the linebacking corps to be the heart of the defense in 2015. 

New England had several players clean up injuries with recent offseason procedures, according to Volin. Right tackle Sebastian Vollmer and right guard Ryan Wendell are dealing with shoulder issues and defensive tackle Chris Jones is recovering from a torn calf.