Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower, who missed the past two games with a sprained knee ligament, is expected to play Sunday against the Panthers in Foxboro, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports.
Howe reported that Hightower is in the Patriots' "game plan" and will play "barring an unforeseen setback." He was listed as questionable on the injury report released Friday.
Hightower had missed the victories over the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans the past two weeks after he sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in the season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
His return should boost a defense that has allowed an average of 461 yards per game, and 31.7 points per game, both ranking last in the NFL.