ARLINGTON, TEXAS - Not only did the Patriots get curb stomped by the Cowboys Sunday, suffering the worst loss of Bill Belichick's head coaching tenure, but they also saw two of their best players suffer injuries.
Rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez and Pro Bowl edge rusher Matthew Judon both went down, with Judon's injury thought to be to his right biceps tendon, per a league source. He'll get an MRI tomorrow to determine its severity, and the Pats aren't expecting great news.
Postgame, Belichick was asked if he could offer updates on the two defenders and delivered a meek, "We'll see."
One of his captains, Deatrich Wise, was a little more forthcoming.
"Devastating," he said, adding. "He was in good spirits. We'll be with him mentally throughout this year, and I know he'll be with us, too. There will be some guys behind him stepping up and filling his spot."
Judon's injury came late in a one-sided loss. There was no coming back from where the Patriots were at that point. It's fair to wonder if he should have remained in the game, especially considering his value to the team.
Did Belichick consider taking Judon out?
"Yeah… (long pause)… you gotta put somebody out there," was his response. That response came after Belichick said there was no point in keeping Mac Jones in a lopsided game.
Meanwhile, Gonzalez, named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month (September) earlier this week, went down with what the team is calling a shoulder injury in the opening quarter.
Gonzalez came up to make a tackle on Cowboys running back Tony Pollard and immediately reached for his arm as soon as it was over. He got to his feet and took a few steps before taking a knee. After being examined by the training staff, he repaired to the sideline with his arm held close to his body, immobilized as best he could.
He made a brief visit to the medical tent before leaving the field. The team initially said he was questionable to return but ruled him out after half-time. With the Pats so shorthanded at cornerback coming in (Jon Jones out for a 3rd straight game and Jack Jones still on IR), Belichick admitted it changed how they wanted to play defensively.
"Yeah, of course."
The Cowboys, not always known for being an intelligent team, immediately exposed the Pats with Gonzalez off the field, hitting CeeDee Lamb for a 20-yard touchdown pass on the next play. Myles Bryant was isolated in man-to-man coverage with Lamb. He didn't get a piece of Lamb on the release, and once the wide receiver was even with Bryant, he was leaving Bryant. Gonzalez had lined up across Lamb multiple times prior, including in the red zone.
Gonzalez is also scheduled for an MRI tomorrow.