AUGUST 8, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
JOHN HIGHTOWER
Chargers training camp: WR John Hightower making strong push for 53-man roster spot The Chargers' crowded receiver room was always going to be tough to crack. but Hightower is making as good a case as possible.
Inks futures deal The Chargers signed Hightower to a reserve/future deal Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Impact Hightower was signed to the Chargers' practice squad at the end of September after failing to make the Eagles' initial 53-man roster, but he didn't make any appearances during the 2022 campaign. The undrafted wideout out of Boise State played in 13 games as a rookie for Philadelphia, totaling 10 receptions on 29 targets for 167 yards across 346 offensive snaps, but he's seen NFL action in just one game since.
JANUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Joins Chargers' practice squad The Chargers signed Hightower to the practice squad Wednesday.
Impact 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, now 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.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Highlight: Reid Sinnett places perfect pass to John Hightower for 19 yards Eagles quarterback Reid Sinnett connects with wide receiver John Hightower for a 19-yard gain.
AUGUST 28, 2022 • PHILADELPHIAEAGLES.COM
Dealing with groin injury Hightower won't practice Tuesday due to a groin injury, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.
Impact 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.
AUGUST 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Eagles activate WR John Hightower, CB Craig James from the Practice Squad Reserve/COVID-19 list There are 14 players total who remain on the Reserve/COVID-19 lists.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • PHILADELPHIAEAGLES.COM
Returns from COVID list The Eagles restored Hightower (illness) to the practice squad from the COVID-19 list Tuesday.
Impact 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.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Hits COVID list Hightower has landed on the Eagles' practice squad COVID-19 list.
Impact 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.
DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Reverts to practice squad Hightower reverted to the Philadelphia practice squad Wednesday.
Impact Hightower played two offensive snaps and nine special teams snaps Sunday. After catching 10 passes for 167 yards in 2020, the 25-year-old wide receiver has yet to make an impact this year.
NOVEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Joins active roster Hightower was elevated from the practice squad Saturday.
Impact 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.
NOVEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
On Eagles' practice squad The Eagles signed Hightower to the practice squad Wednesday, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Impact 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.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Jettisoned by Philadelphia The Eagles waived Hightower on Tuesday, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Impact 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.
AUGUST 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Returns to action Hightower played 13 offensive snaps and five snaps on special teams in Thursday's preseason game against the Patriots.
Impact 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 healthy 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.
AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
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.
Impact 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.
AUGUST 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Struggling with consistency Hightower (groin) has had issues with drops and route-running this preseason, Chris Franklin of NJ.com reports.
Impact Hightower has shown the speed to make plays both in 2020 and in camp but hasn't 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 he's 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.
AUGUST 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Week-to-week Hightower is week-to-week after leaving Thursday's practice with a groin injury, the Eagles' official site reports.
Impact 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.
AUGUST 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Philadelphia Eagles roster: 3 Reasonable expectations for John Hightower What is it with the Philadelphia Eagles and these wide receivers? It's one of the longest ongoing issues with this Philadelphia Eagles team....
MARCH 12, 2021 • INSIDETHEIGGLES.COM
Posts 10 catches in rookie season Hightower caught 10 of his 29 targets for 167 yards across 13 games during the 2020 season.
Impact Since Hightower often functioned as a downfield threat for Philadelphia, he didn't draw many high-percentage targets as a rookie, though he didn't help himself by dropping three passes. Hightower did most of his damage in the first half of the season when many of the Eagles' receivers were banged up, but he became a healthy scratch for three of Philadelphia's last four games, with fellow rookie Quez Watkins passing him up on the depth chart. Hightower will almost certainly have to fight for a roster spot in training camp this summer.
JANUARY 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
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.
Impact 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.
DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Dwayne Haskins starts for Washington despite breaking rules
Dwayne Haskins gets his second consecutive start for Washington with quarterback Alex Smith out again because of a right calf injuryDECEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Inactive Week 15 Hightower (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Impact 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.
DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Healthy scratch Week 14 Hightower (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 14 tilt against the Saints.
Impact The rookie had played a combined 37 snaps over the previous two games, but with the Eagles receiving 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.
DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Colts have left tackle Castonzo, LB Okereke vs. Raiders
Indianapolis left tackle Anthony Castonzo and starting linebacker Bobby Okereke are both active for the Colts’ visit to the Las Vegas RaidersDECEMBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Fails to catch two targets Hightower didn't catch his two targets during Sunday's 30-16 loss at Green Bay.
Impact 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.
DECEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Offensive role shrinking Hightower wasn't targeted during Sunday's loss to the Giants.
Impact 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.
NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
