New England Patriots

Patriots place Christian Barmore on non-football illness list due to ‘recurring symptoms’ 

"We appreciate everything Christian did to return to the team this season, but our top priority is Christian’s health and wellbeing."

New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) stands on the sideline during an NFL football game against the New York Jets on Sunday Sept. 24, 2023, in New York. New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore has agreed to a four-year contract extension worth up to $92 million, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity on Monday, April 29, 2024, because it has not been announced.
Christian Barmore appeared in just four games with the Patriots this season. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston, File)

Christian Barmore’s 2024 season has come to an early end.

The Patriots announced in a statement Thursday evening that the defensive tackle has been placed back on the reserve/non-football injury list after experiencing similar symptoms to the blood-clotting issue that sidelined him for the first 10 weeks of the season. 

“The New England Patriots are placing defensive tackle Christian Barmore on the reserve non-football illness list after he experienced some recurring symptoms that required further evaluation,” the Patriots’ statement read. “We appreciate everything Christian did to return to the team this season, but our top priority is Christian’s health and wellbeing.

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“We know that he will continue to receive tremendous care and we want to ensure that he gets the time he needs to come back stronger than ever.”

Barmore, who signed a four-year contract extension worth up to $92 million in April, has had his career put on halt in 2024 due to health concerns.

Fresh off of an impressive 2023 season where he recorded a career-best 8.5 sacks, Barmore was expected to be one of the foundations of New England’s young defensive core.

But the 25-year-old lineman landed on the reserve/non-football injury list during training camp in July due to blood-clotting issues. 

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Barmore was initially ruled out “indefinitely” during camp due to his ailment, with Patriots center David Andrews missing the entire 2019 season after dealing with a similar health issue. 

But Barmore eventually returned on Nov. 17 for New England, offering up hope that he could help right the ship for a porous Patriots defense that has struggled to contain the run all season long.

“The blood clots are not a joke,” Barmore said after his season debut against the Rams. “I had real bad shortness of breath, and it messed with me like a lot. … My teammates really supported the hell out of me, and I love them all, and coaches and all. And I told myself I was not gonna lose that battle. So I told myself, I’m gonna keep fighting and keep going.”

Barmore closes the 2024 season with one sack and six solo tackles across four games (123 total snaps).

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