Linebacker Dont'a Hightower wasn’t on the field for the Patriots in Super Bowl LII because he tore his pectoral during the regular season and he said Thursday that it hurt to have to watch that game from the sideline.

Hightower brushed off the notion that his presence would have led to a different outcome Womens Anze Kopitar Jersey , although it couldn’t have hurt New England’s chances to have their best linebacker on the field in Minneapolis. Hightower is back on the field now and working in full even as he takes “every measure” to make sure he doesn’t wind up back on injured reserve.

“I’ve been doing everything since OTAs started,” Hightower said in comments distributed by the team. “Still rehabbing and still getting my extra lifts and all that other good stuff in, but as far as how I feel, I feel good. I’m still going to continue to do that — a lot of preventive work throughout the season — so I鈥檓 just concentrating on staying healthy.”

Hightower has missed parts of the last four seasons and last year’s 11-game absence was the biggest by far for the 2012 first-round pick. Figuring out a way to take things the other way would be a step in the right direction as the Patriots try for yet another trip to the Super Bowl.

The Broncos surprised outside linebacker Shane Ray this month when they informed him they won’t be picking up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. They hope that surprise turns into a wakeup call.

Broncos coach Vance Joseph said he believes Ray is reacting the right way 49ers Mike McGlinchey Jersey , motivated by the possibility of getting a bigger contract next year.

鈥淚鈥檝e been really proud of Shane and how he鈥檚 responded,” Joseph told the Denver Post. “He is really motivated. He understands it鈥檚 business. And he鈥檚 ready for a challenge. He wants to be a great player and, in my opinion, before he got hurt last year [early in training camp] he was on his way to having a great year. I am not surprised that he is motivated and engaged. The ball is in his court. He can earn a lot more than what the option offered him if he goes out there and does what we think he can do.鈥?/p>

If the Broncos had picked up Ray’s option http://www.officialbruinsproonline.com/authentic-adidas-brad-marchand-jersey , he would have had a salary of $9.232 million guaranteed against injury only in 2019. Now Ray will hope he can stay healthy and earn even more when he hits free agency.