Barmore was limited to four games due to blood clots last season.
Christian Barmore was limited to just four games in 2024 after being diagnosed with blood clots in training camp. After making his return in November, he was then shut down due to reoccurring symptoms.
Speaking at the NFL Combine on Wednesday, New England Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf shared the team does “not know for sure yet” about the status for their defensive tackle — although Barmore is training to return to action.
“The one thing we know is that he’s working out in Tampa right now and that’s going really well from the reports we’ve gotten,” Wolf said.
“He’s doing everything in his power. He wants to play football, and that’s one of the things I’ve always admired about Christian is how passionate he is. He doesn’t want to let anyone down and he’s passionate about getting back on the field.”
Barmore will be medically checked closer to the Patriots start to their voluntary offseason program in April where the team will get a clearer picture on the 25-year-old’s status.
New England’s defense missed Barmore’s presence along their defensive line as they struggled to stop the run and rush the passer. Prior to last season, Barmore had a career season in which he posted bests in both sacks (8.5) and run stops (40).
The Patriots then rewarded Barmore with a four-year, $84 million contract extension which included over $30 million in guarantees.
Whether the defensive tackle is healthy or not this season, New England is expected to bolster the line around him. Wolf highlighted the defensive line as a strength in this year’s class while several interior defenders are expected to be atop the free agent list.
“The game is always won on the lines,” Wolf explained. “These guys that are elite up front — pushing the middle of the pocket, making the quarterback move, get off the spot — like there’s a premium on those guys. That’s why you see some of these guys getting paid and being drafted earlier because of the impact they can have on all three downs.”