Alabama's Hightower likely done for season

Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower will need surgery to repair the knee injury suffered Saturday against Arkansas.
Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban released a short statement updating the situation Sunday evening.
“Dont’a Hightower’s MRI confirmed that he has ligament damage in his knee that will require surgery,” Saban said. “Dont’a is a fine young man, has beenww an outstanding player for us, and we are confident he will make a full recovery.”
The damage came on a running play late in the second quarter of No. 3 Alabama’s 35-7 win over Arkansas. Pulling Razorback guard Mitch Petrus went low to block Hightower on what ended up as a 2-yard Michael Smith run to the left side of the line.
Petrus appeared to hit Hightower square on the left kneecap. The 2008 freshman All-American attempted to get off the Bryant-Denny Stadium turf on his own before going back down in obvious discomfort. He was eventually carted off the field with an ice pack taped to the knee. Using a pair of crutches, Hightower returned to the field to watch the end of the game.
Since Hightower played in 4 games this fall, he would not qualify for a medical redshirt. Injured players must not play in 20 percent of the season to qualify.