FOXBORO – Dont’a Hightower declared his desire to stay healthy this past offseason.

Heading into the AFC Championship game, the Patriots linebacker couldn’t be happier with the results.

After missing all of last season with a torn pectoral muscle, Hightower watched from the sidelines as the Patriots ended the season in the Super Bowl. This season, the 28-year-old played in 15 games. That marked the second-most games played in Hightower's career and most [...]

FOXBORO – Dont’a Hightower declared his desire to stay healthy this past offseason.

Heading into the AFC Championship game, the Patriots linebacker couldn’t be happier with the results.

After missing all of last season with a torn pectoral muscle, Hightower watched from the sidelines as the Patriots ended the season in the Super Bowl. This season, the 28-year-old played in 15 games. That marked the second-most games played in Hightower's career and most since he played in every game five years ago in 2013.

“It means a lot,” Hightower said Tuesday. “My time on the field hasn’t always been as much as I wanted it to be, but this year has meant a lot to me. I’ve been out there. I’ve been able to play. I’ve been with my teammates from OTAs to minicamp. I’ve enjoyed it. Looking forward to keeping this thing going, so just whatever I can this week to keep that thing going.”

Hightower was only credited with two tackles last weekend against Los Angeles, but he was masterful. The linebacker pressured Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers all game, helping to lead a great pass rush effort from the Patriots front seven.

This weekend, against Kansas City, Hightower wants to bring the heat again, but says he knows the Patriots have to keep Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes contained.

“Absolutely, I think to keep him in the pocket but to also keep pressure on him, not letting him feel comfortable,” Hightower said. “But, obviously, he’s an athletic quarterback. He can throw just as well outside the pocket as he can inside the pocket. I mean, on film, you see him not even looking where he’s throwing and he’s able to hit it, too. I mean, he’s a very accurate quarterback, so we want to keep him inside the pocket but keep pressure on him.”