John Hightower

Los Angeles Chargers
Wide Receiver #82
Los Angeles Chargers
Wide Receiver #82

John Hightower News

Joins Chargers' practice squad

The Chargers signed Hightower to the practice squad Wednesday.

Analysis: Hightower dealt with a groin injury early in training camp and was ultimately waived by the Eagles ahead of the 53-man roster deadline. However, the 2020 fifth-round pick will get a new opportunity with the Chargers, who recently placed Jalen Guyton (knee) on IR and haven't had Keenan Allen (hamstring) since Week 1.

Sep 28, 2022 12:15 PM EST


Waived by Philly

The Eagles waived Hightower on Tuesday, Chris McPherson of the Eagles' official site reports.

Analysis: Hightower dealt with a groin injury early in training camp and didn't play in the Eagles' preseason opener, but he was on the field for the team's final two exhibition matchups. While the 2020 fifth-rounder seems to have moved past his injury, he was unable to secure a spot on Philadelphia's 53-man roster.

Aug 30, 2022 6:48 PM EST



Dealing with groin injury

Hightower won't practice Tuesday due to a groin injury, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: The severity of the injury is unclear, but the 2020 fifth-round pick will have to return to practice quickly if he has any shot of making the initial 53-man roster. Hightower played 346 offensive snaps over 13 games as a rookie, but he spent the majority of last season on Philadelphia's practice squad, totaling just 11 snaps during his lone appearance of the campaign -- Week 9 against the Chargers.

Aug 9, 2022 7:19 AM EST


Signs contract with Eagles

The Eagles signed Hightower to a future/reserve contract Thursday.

Analysis: Hightower appeared on eleven total snaps in Week 9 for Philadelphia after spending most of the season on the team's practice squad. This is a severe drop-off compared to the wideout's 346 offensive snaps over 13 games played in his 2020 rookie campaign. The 25-year-old will have an opportunity to carve out a depth role on the team's active roster heading into the 2022 season.

Feb 3, 2022 1:28 PM EST


Returns from COVID list

The Eagles have restored Hightower (illness) to the practice squad from the COVID-19 list Tuesday.

Analysis: Hightower landed on the COVID list Dec. 28 after logging a positive test for the virus. Now, he can return to all usual team activities. The second-year pro has only appeared in one game this season.

Jan 4, 2022 7:50 AM EST



Hits COVID list

Hightower has landed on the Eagles' practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list.

Analysis: Via Adam Schefter of ESPN, Hightower tested positive for the virus. Thus, he will not be eligible to return to practice until he clears the NFL's health and safety protocols.

Dec 28, 2021 4:48 PM EST


Reverts to practice squad

Hightower reverted to the Philadelphia practice squad Wednesday.

Analysis: After playing two offensive snaps and nine special teams snaps Sunday, Hightower was relegated to the practice squad. After catching 10 passes for 167 yards in 2020, the 25-year-old wide receiver has yet to make an impact this year.

Nov 11, 2021 9:03 AM EST


Joins active roster

Hightower was elevated from the practice squad Saturday.

Analysis: A fifth-round pick by the Eagles back in 2019, Hightower was a surprise cut by the team this offseason only to rejoin the practice squad immediately after. The speedy wideout will make his first return to the active roster this season and could be asked to take on a special teams role to start.

Nov 6, 2021 2:50 PM EST


On Eagles' practice squad

The Eagles signed Hightower to the practice squad Wednesday, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Analysis: Hightower, a 2020 fifth-round pick, appeared in 13 games for Philadelphia as a rookie but wasn't very effective in his opportunities. He will turn his attention toward progressing in his development with the team, with the potential to secure a depth role in the future.

Sep 2, 2021 5:02 AM EST


Jettisoned by Philadelphia

The Eagles waived Hightower on Tuesday, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Analysis: Philadelphia cut loose Hightower and Travis Fulgham to leave them with five healthy wide receivers (DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor, Quez Watkins, Greg Ward and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside). A fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Hightower wasn't very efficient as a rookie last season, hauling in just 10 of 29 targets for 167 yards and no touchdowns in 13 appearances. He'll look to land elsewhere in the NFL, likely on a practice squad.

Aug 31, 2021 12:13 PM EST


Returns to action

Hightower played 13 offensive snaps and five snaps on special teams in Thursday's preseason game against the Patriots.

Analysis: Hightower had been dealing with a groin injury since Aug. 7, though he was able to return for the team's second preseason contest. Further confirming Hightower's status was his absence from the team's practice report, which listed players who were out due to injury as reported by Tim McManus of ESPN.com. After being sidelined for just under two weeks, Hightower will turn his attention to winning a spot on the roster and will have to compete with Quez Watkins and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside for a role.

Aug 22, 2021 5:30 PM EST


Likely to play Thursday

Hightower (groin) is in uniform ahead of Thursday's preseason game against the Patriots, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Analysis: Hightower sustained a groin injury during practice in early August and was held out of the preseason opener against the Steelers. The 25-year-old should be available to make his preseason debut Thursday as he competes for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Aug 19, 2021 4:07 PM EST


Struggling with consistency

Hightower (groin) has had issues with drops and route-running this preseason, Chris Franklin of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: Hightower has shown the speed to make plays both in 2020 and in camp but has not consistently executed his routes or catching the ball so far this year. Those just happen to be two of the primary elements in the job description of a wide receiver. Add to that that he is currently week-to-week with a groin injury, and it's safe to say that the 2020 fifth-round pick is currently behind Quez Watkins and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside in the competition for one of the final spots on the Eagles' roster.

Aug 9, 2021 2:39 AM EST


Week-to-week

Hightower is week-to-week after leaving Thursday's practice with a groin injury, the Eagles' official site reports.

Analysis: It remains to be seen how long Hightower will miss, but a lengthy absence could hurt his chances of making the team's roster, Zach Berman of The Athletic notes. Hightower is competing with the likes of Quez Watkins and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside for depth slotting in the Eagles' wide receiving corps.

Aug 7, 2021 8:04 PM EST


Healthy scratch again Sunday

Hightower (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 16 tilt against the Cowboys, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Analysis: The rookie wideout has been a healthy scratch for three consecutive games, a status that was seemingly even more of a certainty this week with DeSean Jackson (ankle) being activated from injured reserve Saturday.

Dec 27, 2020 12:05 PM EST


Inactive Week 15

Hightower (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Analysis: The rookie is a healthy scratch for the second straight game as the Eagles move forward with Quez Watkins and Travis Fulgham as their No. 4 and No. 5 receivers against Arizona.

Dec 20, 2020 11:51 AM EST


Healthy scratch Week 14

Hightower (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 14 tilt against the Saints.

Analysis: The rookie had played a combined 37 snaps over the previous two games, but with the Eagles receiver corps back to full health save for DeSean Jackson (IR-ankle), Hightower will be inactive for Jalen Hurts' first NFL start. The Boise State product's next opportunity to garner active status will come in a Week 15 road battle versus the Cardinals.

Dec 13, 2020 12:14 PM EST


Fails to catch two targets

Hightower didn't catch his two targets during Sunday's 30-16 loss at Green Bay.

Analysis: The 24-year-old played 18 of 62 offensive snaps but was unable to make an impact in the passing game. Hightower has only one reception for one yard since Week 7.

Dec 8, 2020 5:00 PM EST


Offensive role shrinking

Hightower wasn't targeted during Sunday's loss to the Giants.

Analysis: The 24-year-old played only one offensive snap and didn't have a reception for the second straight contest. Hightower is buried on the depth chart behind Travis Fulgham, Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward and Alshon Jeffery.

Nov 24, 2020 5:43 PM EST


Shut out Sunday night

Hightower did not catch any of his three targets in Sunday's 23-9 win over the Cowboys.

Analysis: After catching a couple bombs over his past two games, Hightower got yet another deep target early in the contest but was unable to corral it this time. The last pass thrown his way was intercepted, so he had little chance to make an impact. Most importantly, the rookie fifth-rounder was only on the field for 10 snaps, a trend that will likely continue now that Jalen Reagor is healthy again.

Nov 3, 2020 12:03 AM EST


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