INDIANAPOLIS — The Patriots’ immensely talented group of young linebackers created a ton of momentum during their Super Bowl run, but there won’t be a seamless transition into the 2015 season.

Dont’a Hightower, who played through a torn shoulder labrum suffered in Week 13 against the Packers, underwent surgery last week. Now new information emerged regarding his rehab timetable.

Hightower’s recovery is expected to span six or seven months, according to a source. The Patriots officially open training camp around July 29, and a six-month window would have Hightower ready Aug. 10. The seven-month window would put him in line to be ready for the regular-season opener around Sept. 10.

Because it’s so early, it’s virtually impossible to narrow down Hightower’s return date. If he recovers quickly, it’s not unreasonable to believe he could be on the field for the start of training camp. After all, he displayed his toughness by playing through the severe injury, and made a Super Bowl-saving tackle by fighting through a block and stopping Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch at the 1-yard line before Malcolm Butler’s interception.

Hightower’s surgery could have other implications, too, if the Patriots are figuring out a way to massage Jerod Mayo’s $10.287 million cap hit in 2015. Mayo already had some leverage with his $4.5 million injury guarantee, but the possibility of heading to camp without Hightower should restrict the Pats’ thoughts of taking a hardline stance during any potential restructuring negotiations.

Mayo, who tore his patellar tendon against the Bills in October, certainly won’t be ready for the start of organized team activities in April, according to multiple sources. It’s actually unclear when he could return, and that plays a significant role if any contract discussions arise.

Of Mayo’s $6.25 million base salary, $4.5 million is guaranteed for injury until he passes a physical. So if the Pats cut Mayo before he passes his physical, they would owe him $4.5 million. As soon as Mayo passes his physical, the injury guarantee disappears, and that’s when the Patriots could really approach Mayo to restructure his deal, if that’s the route they choose.

Since Mayo is coming off back-to-back season-ending injuries and has cap hits of $10.287 million in 2015, $10.4 million in 2016 and $9.5 million in 2017, the Patriots should be expected to rework the deal. Because Bill Belichick and Mayo think the world of one another, such discussions might even flow smoother than many of this kind.

If the Pats desperately need to free up cap space in 2015 and can’t convince Mayo to take a pay cut, they could theoretically convert the majority of Mayo’s base salary into a signing bonus to potentially save as much as $3 million. However, that would increase his cap hits in 2016 and 2017.

Hightower and Jamie Collins were a formidable combination this season without Mayo, as the young tandem’s drastic improvement played a key role in the defensive dominance in the second halves of games over the final three months. The prospect of throwing Mayo back into the mix in 2015 gives the Patriots a tremendous problem of finding enough playing time for all three.

The Pats have to clear a few offseason hurdles before reaching that point, though.