Patriots’ Christian Barmore spotted in locker room on Wednesday
Barmore, who is still out while dealing with blood clots, spent some time with teammates on Wednesday.
Patriots’ defensive lineman Christian Barmore was spotted in the New England locker room on Wednesday.
There’s still no timetable for Barmore’s return to the field, but he was seen chatting with teammates before practice on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder was diagnosed with blood clots this summer during training camp.
He has been placed on the non football injury list with a designation to return. The designation, coach Jerod Mayo said last week, was intended to leave open the possibility that Barmore could come back at some point.
On Tuesday, multiple reports indicated that the Patriots plan to pay Barmore’s full $1.8 million salary this season despite his status being up in the air. The 25-year-old has a massive contract extension (4-years, worth up to $92 million) that will kick in starting next year.
Barmore was also spotted wearing street clothes at the Patriots’ joint practice against his hometown Philadelphia Eagles last month.
One of New England’s most disruptive defensive players, Barmore posted a career-high 8.5 sacks last season. His presence will be missed as New England takes on Cincinnati in the season opener this weekend. Coach Jerod Mayo said that controlling the game up front will be a point of emphasis.
“It’s about controlling the line of scrimmage and controlling the game. Look, they have a high-powered team,” Mayo said Wednesday. “They have a high-powered offense, and I think the defense is aggressive because they know they have a high-powered offense, in my opinion.”
“So, those guys on defense, they fly around; they do a lot of good things, and don’t forget about special teams,” Mayo added. “Those guys play very aggressive, and we have to be able to combat that.”
The Patriots will attempt to replace Barmore’s production by committee. Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, and Jeremiah Pharms Jr. will be expected to contribute at the defensive tackle spot.
New England’s defense finished in the top-5 in terms of fewest rushing yards allowed and held opponents to a league-best 3.3 yards per carry last season. They also allowed the tenth-fewest passing yards last year.
Without Barmore and Matthew Judon (who was traded to the Falcons), the Patriots’ pass-rushing ability could take a hit this season.
They’ll face a number of the league’s top quarterbacks this season, starting with Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow on Sunday.
Regardless of his playing status, Barmore’s return to the locker room was a welcome sign.
“It’s great to see him in here joking around and stuff. It’s good to see him in good spirits,” defensive lineman Deatrich Wise told MassLive’s Mark Daniels. “It’s a pretty cool thing that he’s able to bounce back from everything that he’s gone through. Just being here with his guys, in my opinion, is the best therapy.”
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