The Patriots endured a scare this weekend when head athletic trainer Jim Whalen noted a bruise on the back of defensive tackle Christian Barmore‘s calf. Whalen insisted that the breakout lineman from last year get it checked out. Upon doing so, Barmore was diagnosed with blood clots. After avoiding disaster, Barmore is now receiving treatment and focusing on his health, per a statement from the Patriots.
A former second-round pick out of Alabama, Barmore had a slow start to his NFL career. In his rookie season, Barmore earned a good amount of playing time as a rotation sub. He only started two games, but he played nearly as much as the starters at the position. He functioned mainly as a run-stopper with 46 tackles on the season. The following year, his role increased slightly, as he earned three starts, but he was limited to only 10 games due to a knee injury.
Last year, fully healthy, Barmore broke out in a big way. He only started six games, but he played more defensive snaps than any other lineman. With that time, Barmore recorded career highs in sacks (8.5), total tackles (64), tackles for loss (13), quarterback hits (16), pass deflections (6), and forced fumbles (1). Analytics reflected his breakout season, as well, as Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked him as the eighth-best interior defender in the NFL, lauding his pass rushing abilities which they graded at the NFL’s seventh-best at the position.
New England rewarded Barmore’s impressive outing by helping him to avoid a contract year, signing the lineman to a four-year extension worth up to $92MM. The Patriots appreciated his contributions so much that they ensured Barmore would anchor their defensive line for the years to come, keeping him under contract through the 2028 season.
Following his diagnosis, though, that future is up in the air. The focus is, rightfully, on Barmore’s health at the moment and not on his potential return to the field. Undiagnosed, his blood clots could’ve provided the worst-possible outcome for the young defender who celebrates his 25th birthday today. Once securing his health, Barmore can then turn his thoughts to the field, but for now, there is only one focus.
To speculate, though, blood clots have provided a variety of outcomes in the past. Most recently, we saw center Billy Price retire after undergoing emergency pulmonary embolism surgery to remove a saddle clot that was entering his lungs. Price felt that the risk of internal…