Christian Barmore of the Patriots returns to the field after overcoming blood clot issues
Christian Barmore, the defensive tackle for the New England Patriots, has been cleared to participate in football activities following his absence last year caused by blood clots.
New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore has been cleared for football activities after a challenging battle with blood clots that sidelined him during the 2024 season.
Barmore, who was diagnosed with blood clots last July, faced a significant setback that cut his season short. Despite returning to the field briefly in November, he only managed to appear in four games before being placed on the non-football illness list.
On Thursday, Barmore received the news he had been hoping for: medical clearance to resume full participation with the team. He is expected to be a full participant in voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) next week, signaling a promising comeback for the 2021 second-round pick.
“Yeah. That’s the goal. I just have to keep following the medical team, but everything is looking really well,” Barmore said about his return. Describing the experience, he reflected, “It was one of the hardest times. I felt like I did everything in my power, wanting to come back. I don’t want to ever be in that situation again, or anybody in the world to go through that. That stuff was no joke. It was a hard challenge.”
However, Barmore now says he is feeling much better and more confident. "Feeling good, more confidence in myself, back to my breathing. Talking my smack, yeah. All of that," he shared. "Really blessed."
The 24-year-old lineman enjoyed a breakout third season in 2023, recording a career-high 8.5 sacks and 64 combined tackles over 17 games. His performance led the Patriots to lock him into a four-year contract extension worth up to $92 million, including $41.8 million guaranteed before the final year of his rookie deal began.
This isn’t the first time the Patriots organization has dealt with blood clots affecting a key player. Veteran center David Andrews missed the 2019 season due to clots in his lungs but made a successful return the following year.
Barmore’s return represents a major boost for the Patriots defense as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season, and signals a positive step forward in his personal health journey.