The Patriots’ already dominant defense could be getting one more boost over the final stretch of the season.

Head coach Bill Belichick was asked Monday morning if Pro Bowl outside linebacker Matthew Judon could return to practice before the end of the season. Belichick didn’t shoot it down.

Related Articles

Patriots defender sounds off on offense, losing streak: ‘It’s f—ing frustrating’

Callahan: How much worse can the boring Patriots get?

Source: Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson to undergo MRI to confirm ankle sprain

Bailey Zappe not ensured Week 14 start after Patriots’ continued offensive struggles?

Patriots never turn to Malik Cunningham after practice squad elevation

“We’ll see. That’s a good question,” Belichick said in a video conference call. “We’ll see. That’s a medical question. So, we’ll see how that plays out. I know he’s working hard. Matt’s been in here, works hard on a daily basis. But again, that’s a medical question that I wouldn’t be able to answer.”

Judon, a four-time Pro Bowl selection and the team’s best defender, suffered a torn biceps in the Patriots’ Week 4 loss to the Cowboys that also saw the team lose rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Judon has been on injured reserve since Oct. 14. A return to practice would designate him to return from injured reserve. He would then need to be activated to the 53-man roster.

Judon, who had four sacks over the first four weeks of the season, was on the Patriots’ sideline and in the locker room after Sunday’s loss to the Chargers.

The Patriots are 2-10 on the season, but they’ve allowed 10 or fewer points in each of their last three losses. The offense has scored just 13 points in that span, however. They were shut out in Sunday’s 6-0 loss to the Chargers. The team has lost Gonzalez, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and cornerback Marcus Jones to season-ending injuries.

If only Judon could play quarterback.