New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower was forced out of the second quarter of the Super Bowl early after sustaining an injury.

Hightower appeared to hurt his shoulder while trying to stop a three-yard touchdown run from Marshawn Lynch with just over two minutes on the clock before half time.

The 24-year-old was checked over by the team's trainer on the sidelines, and he remained on the bench until the end of the second quarter.

Hightower made 89 tackles and 11 sacks during the regular season.