Patriots’ Matthew Judon to undergo bicep surgery
New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon has made a big decision on his bicep injury.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that Judon has decided to undergo surgery to repair a lower bicep tear. Judon suffered the injury during the second half of the Patriots’ 38-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
According to Schefter, Judon “wants to try to come back to play again this year, but there are questions about whether he can or will.” For now, Judon is headed to injured reserve and is considered to be out “indefinitely.”
Oct 1, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon (9) walks off the field injured during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The injury marks the most devastating one yet for the 2023 Patriots, who have dealt with a number of absences on both sides of the ball. On defense, standout rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez is also expected to miss time with what Jeff Howe reported is a dislocated shoulder, but his status remains unclear at this point.
New England is 1-3 on the season as they return home to face the New Orleans Saints in Week 5 at Gillette Stadium. The injuries on defense are certainly massive blows, but they also have a chance to get key players on each side of the ball back from IR. Candidates to return include wide receiver Tyquan Thornton and cornerback Jack Jones.
Read below for more about the Patriots’ players who could return this week, as they get ready for life without Judon.
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Patriots have five players eligible to return from IR or PUP this week
WR Tyquan Thornton (IR)
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (11) during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots’ second-round pick in last year’s draft, Thornton suffered an undisclosed shoulder injury during joint practices with the Green Bay Packers in August. This is the second year in a row he’s missed the start of the season on IR.
Initial reporting following Thornton’s injury suggested he was “not anticipated being out for long.” In an offense that’s lacking explosiveness right now, his speed could be helpful if he gets back in the wide receiver rotation.
OL Riley Reiff (IR)
Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots offensive tackle Riley Reiff (74) works with a weight bag during 2023 training camp. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Reiff was the Patriots’ biggest offensive line addition this offseason, but struggled at right tackle early in training camp. A few weeks in he kicked inside to right guard, where things looked a lot better before he injured his knee in the preseason finale.
There hasn’t been much reported on Reiff’s status, or his timeframe to return. If he is healthy though, the Patriots certainly could use offensive line help right now, both at tackle and guard.
CB Jack Jones (IR)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 24: Jack Jones #13 of the New England Patriots reacts after a tackle during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium on October 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
With Christian Gonzalez injuring his shoulder on Sunday, the Patriots’ cornerback depth is now razor thin. Jonathan Jones has missed the last three games, with Jack Jones and Marcus Jones still on IR (Marcus Jones isn’t eligible to return until next week, but is expected to miss more time).
Jack Jones returning certainly would be a huge boost to the secondary right now, but it might not be in the cards. ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote on Sunday that “some around the team were targeting midseason as a more likely timetable” for Jones to return. Jones is dealing with a hamstring injury that he suffered in practice leading up to Week 1.
DL Trey Flowers (PUP)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 18: Trey Flowers #90 of the Detroit Lions lines up during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on October 18, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
The Patriots signed Flowers in early August, and almost immediately put him on PUP with an undisclosed injury. Still, Flowers has been around the team, including being present at (but not participating in) a handful of practices throughout the summer.
It’s tough to tell where Flowers stands in terms of being ready to play. However, with Matthew Judon now expected to miss time, depth on the defensive line certainly is a need for the Patriots.
ST Cody Davis (PUP)
Aug 12, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Cody Davis (22) at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Davis is still recovering from a significant knee injury he suffered last October. While Davis remains around the team, there hasn’t been any reporting to suggest a return is close.
