The New England Patriots added injuries to Sunday’s insulting loss.
After falling 38-3 to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4, the Patriots reportedly lost two of their premier defenders. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, star pass rusher Matthew Judon and rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez are both out indefinitely.
Judon tore his lower bicep tendon, and Gonzalez injured his shoulder. They’ll each seek a second opinion.
Patriots’ first-round pick Christian Gonzalez and pass-rushing standout Matthew Judon both are out indefinitely while they seek second opinions on their injuries, per sources. Gonzalez injured his shoulder, Judon suffered a lower bicep tendon tear.
Two significant losses.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 2, 2023
Judon made his fourth straight Pro Bowl with a career-high 15.5 sacks last season. The 31-year-old was off to another fast start, securing four sacks and nine quarterback hits.
Gonzalez notched a sack in his NFL debut and an interception in his second game. The No. 17 pick played all but one of the defense’s snaps through Week 3 before exiting Sunday’s game early.
New England’s defense wasn’t the primary culprit in Sunday’s shellacking, as Dallas scored on a fumble recovery and pick-six in the second quarter before Bill Belichick benched quarterback Mac Jones. The Patriots rank 10th in total defense despite losing to the Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Miami Dolphins through four weeks.
Yet an already depleted unit received two more costly blows. The front seven is down Trey Flowers and Daniel Ekuale, and the secondary is missing Jonathan Jones and Jack Jones.
It’s unclear how much time Judon and Gonzalez could miss, but they sound unlikely to suit up for a Week 5 showdown with the New Orleans Saints.