FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots placed linebacker and defensive captain Dont’a Hightower on injured reserve on Tuesday.

Hightower left in the second half of New England’s win over Atlanta on Oct. 22 with a right shoulder injury.

A person familiar with the situation said last month that Hightower would need season-ending surgery on his shoulder. The surgery was for a torn pectoral muscle, the person told The Associated Press.

Hightower had 14 tackles and two sacks this season. In March, he signed a four-year deal worth $35.5 million.

New England also announced it has signed veteran defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois.

• The Boston Globe reported that linebacker Shea McClellin, who was placed on injured reserve with a “designated to return” label at the end of training camp, will not play this season.

McClellin signed a three-year deal with the Patriots in 2016. He had 39 tackles with a sack, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal last season. The 28-year-old linebacker’s injury has not been revealed by the team.

JAGUARS: Running back Leonard Fournette apologized for violating a team rule that prompted Coach Doug Marrone to make him inactive against Cincinnati.

Fournette also offered some insight into what may have been a reason for his benching. The rookie vowed to be on time for Jacksonville’s next game Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Marrone declined to say exactly what Fournette did to be deactivated for the game.

GIANTS: The Giants reinstated cornerback Janoris Jenkins from suspension.

Jenkins was suspended indefinitely last week for missing a workout on Monday and not informing Coach Ben McAdoo that he would be absent.

The Giants re-acquired linebacker Deontae Skinner, who was with the team earlier in the season and was most recently on the Oakland Raiders’ practice squad.

Three players who were on the field for Sunday’s 51-17 loss to the Rams were removed from the roster. Defensive end Jordan Williams and defensive back Tim Scott were waived. Both were signed off the Giants’ practice squad last week. Linebacker Nigel Harris (ribs) was placed on injured reserve.

BEARS: The Bears have placed tight end Zach Miller – recovering from surgery to save his left leg – on injured reserve.

Miller had surgery in New Orleans to repair a torn artery he suffered while dislocating his knee during a loss to the Saints on Oct. 29. He was injured when he landed in the end zone trying to make a touchdown catch.

Miller was released from the hospital on Monday.

TEXANS: The Houston Texans signed free-agent quarterback Josh Johnson and released Matt McGloin.

The moves come a day after Coach Bill O’Brien said they had discussed the possibility of adding Colin Kaepernick in the wake of a season-ending knee injury to rookie Deshaun Watson.

Instead of adding Kaepernick, the former 49ers quarterback who began the protest movement by kneeling during the national anthem last season, Houston chose Johnson to be its third quarterback.

The 31-year-old Johnson has been with the Giants, Bills, Colts and 49ers over the past three seasons, but hasn’t appeared in a game since he played two for the Bengals in 2013. He spent his first four seasons with Tampa Bay where he appeared in 26 games from 2008-11.

McGloin was signed on Friday to be Houston’s third quarterback behind Tom Savage and T.J. Yates, but was inactive on Sunday.