The veteran defensive tackle has been out since the early stages of training camp.
The New England Patriots defense has had to deal with some personnel issues this season, but it appears one of the unit’s core members might be nearing a return.
Head coach Jerod Mayo said on Monday that defensive tackle Christian Barmore would be “getting close” to making a comeback. For the moment, the 25-year-old remains on the non-football injury list after being diagnosed with blood clots early in training camp.
Since joining the Patriots as a second-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, Barmore has developed into one of the most disruptive interior defenders in the league. Under normal circumstances, he would fill a starter-level role along the New England defensive line — something the organization expected would be the case when they signed him to a contract extension in the offseason.
Just three months after putting pen to paper on a new four-year, $84 million pact, however, he received his blood clots diagnosis. While being sidelined since late July, Barmore has made regular appearances at Gillette Stadium.
“He’s just been around, staying active from the standpoint of being involved in meetings, keeping his mind on football, stuff like that,” defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery said about Barmore back in September. “It’s just been good to have him around, for sure.”
Under NFL rules, the veteran defender was eligible to come off the NFI list after missing four weeks of action. With the Patriots now heading into Week 10, the door is obviously open for a return that seems like it will still happen at some point this season.