The New England Patriots faced a number of challenges during their disappointing 2023 season, with injuries ranking near the top of the list. The squad lost several major contributors, both short and long term, notably edge linebacker Matthew Judon.\
Judon suffered a biceps injury in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys. While there was some initial hope that he’d be able to return down the stretch, he was forced to spend the rest of the season rehabilitating, a process that extended into the summer.
Judon did, however, provide a positive update during a recent interview on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football.
“Comeback is going well,” he stated on Wednesday. “Me and my trainers Nick and Dan in Dallas are just working hard to regain all of our strength and flexibility.” And we’re there now. It has been a long time. So I’m doing fine.”
Judon signed the Patriots as an unrestricted free agency from the Baltimore Ravens in 2021, and he rapidly established himself as one of the team’s most impactful defensive players. As a result, he recorded 25 sacks and two fumble recoveries in his first two seasons and was selected to the Pro Bowl both years.
He was off to another fantastic start in 2024, with four sacks and a safety in the first three games. The fourth, however, brought an early end to what was building up to be another strong campaign.
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“I felt as if a rubber band had slapped me. Pow!” Judon spoke about the injury. I was like, ‘Damn.’” It hurt for a minute. “I said, ‘I can’t really bend it.’”
The 31-year-old went on to say that being harmed wasn’t the worst aspect of the experience.
“The worst part is trying to get the pads and jersey off,” he told reporters. “They say, ‘It’s your biceps.’ So we took it off. But, obviously, I needed to shower, so I was showering while unable to use my right hand. So I was a lefty. And then it stung.
“But after that, I went through surgery, and everything started recovering quickly. I wanted to return, but I didn’t get the opportunity this year. I have a lot in store for next year.”
Judon is entering the final season of his four-year contract with the Patriots, which he signed in 2024. With Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings leaving for free agency, he is one of only two pure edges on the roster for the 2017 season, along with practice squad member William Bradley-King.
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