Update on Patriots' 2020 Opt-Outs

Before the 2020 season began the New England Patriots had a league-high eight players opt out of the season due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Those players were linebacker Dont'a Hightower, safety Patrick Chung, tackle Marcus Cannon, wide receiver Marqise Lee, fullback Danny Vitale, running back Brandon Bolden, tight end Matt LaCosse and offensive lineman Najee Toran.

Regarding their status for the 2021 season, ESPN's Patriots reporter Mike Reiss gave an update on some of those players and their chances of returning next season:

The Patriots asked the eight players who opted out of the 2020 season to return for year-end physicals last week. "I got to Boston on Sunday, did the…