Pats’ Hightower among NFL players to opt out

A person familiar with the situation says Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower has decided to opt out of the 2020 season.

Hightower’s decision was made out of concern for the health of his fiancee and child, who was born earlier this month, the person said.

The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Patriots have not announced the decision. ESPN was the first to report the move.

Two other people told the AP that starting right tackle Marcus Cannon and fullback Danny Vitale have also chosen to sit out the season, citing health concerns.

Cannon is a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma during his final season at Texas Christian University in 2011. Vitale has a young family and doesn’t want to risk exposing them, according to the sources.

The NFL and the players association agreed last week to an opt-out clause for the upcoming season. Those who choose to voluntarily sit out will receive a $150,000 stipend and those with medical opt outs will receive $350,000 rather than their contractual salary.

Hightower has been a staple of the Patriots defense since being drafted in the first round in 2012, helping the team win three Super Bowls. The two-time Pro Bowler signed a four-year, $35.5 million contract in 2017.

Numerous other players also chose to opt out including Bills starting DT Star Lotulelei, Bears DT Eddie Goldman, Broncos DT Kyle Peko, Cowboys CB Maurice Canady and WR Stephen Guidry, Eagles WR Marquise Goodwin and Packers WR Devin Funchess.

DE Joey Bosa agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Chargers that two people familiar with the deal said is worth $135 million over five years. The people spoke to AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the contract has not been finalized . ... The Jaguars placed RT Jawaan Taylor and OL Ryan Pope on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list. The COVID-19 list is for a player who tests positive for coronavirus or has been quarantined after being in close contact with someone infected. NFL teams are not allowed to disclose whether the player is in quarantine or is positive for the coronavirus . ... The Titans placed their top draft pick, OL Isaiah Wilson, on the COVID-19/reserve list . ... The 49ers placed WR Deebo Samuel on the non-football injury list after foot surgery and said he might miss the start of the season. Samuel suffered a fracture in his left foot last month during informal workouts . ... The Panthers lost P Michael Palardy for the season because of a knee injury . ... Former 49ers DT Dana Stubblefield, 49, was convicted of the rape of a developmentally disabled woman, after prosecutors said he lured the victim to his home with the promise of a babysitting job.

Colleges: The NCAA is allowing all major college football teams to begin their seasons as early as Aug. 29. The official start had been Labor Day weekend, with a few games scheduled for Aug. 29. That was before the pandemic put the season in peril and schedules were remade to deal with potential disruptions of COVID-19.

NBA: With the NBA restart quickly approaching, Lakers C Anthony Davis’ status is uncertain. Davis is listed as day-to-day after leaving the Lakers’ second scrimmage after getting poked in the eye . ... Pelicans F Zion Williamson returned to practice for the first time in nearly two weeks and coach Alvin Gentry said Williamson might play when the club resumes its season Thursday against the Jazz.