FOXBORO — Fresh off a career year and fat contract extension, Christian Barmore was supposed to be a foundational piece of the first Patriots defense of the Jerod Mayo era.
Now, it’s unclear whether Barmore will see the field at all.
On Sunday, the Patriots announced Barmore, their 25-year-old shop-wrecking defensive tackle, will be out indefinitely after being diagnosed with blood clots.
Mayo opened his Monday news conference by thanking the Patriots’ medical staff, led by head trainer Jim Whalen, and doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital for their treatment of Barmore.
“I just want to thank the medical professionals in-house and also Mass General as far as the care for Barmore,” Mayo said before New England’s fifth training camp practice. “Obviously, it’s an unfortunate thing, but for me, it’s not even about football. When you talk about things like that, it’s about the man. He’s getting tremendous care, and I’m anticipating him coming back.”
When?
That was unknown as of Monday afternoon. Mayo said Barmore was out of the hospital, “in good spirits” and joined at home by his mother, but the Patriots head coach had “no timetable” for his return to the field.
“When he’s ready to go, we’ll be here waiting for him,” Mayo said. “… He just wants to play football, but in understanding the seriousness of this, he needs to get healthy, and we’ll be praying for him.”
The Patriots dealt with a similar situation in 2019, after doctors found blood clots in the lungs of starting center David Andrews during the preseason. Andrews had to take blood thinners as part of his recovery and missed the entire season as a result.
It’s too early to say whether Barmore’s condition will require the same season-long layoff, but it would not be surprising if the defensive standout is forced to miss significant time. That would be a massive loss for a Patriots defense that has elite potential after returning nearly all of its top contributors from 2023.
Barmore led the Patriots in sacks (8.5) and quarterback hits (16) last season and ranked second in tackles for loss (13), setting career highs in all three categories while playing in every game. Asked how New England can replace him while he heals, Mayo replied: “That’s a great question. We’ll see.”
Patriots DL Christian Barmore diagnosed with blood clots, out indefinitely
“A guy like Barmore, as disruptive as he is, it's kind of hard to get that same production,” he said. “But look, other guys have to step up and treat it like a normal injury, even though it's not a normal injury, and next man up.”
Mayo added: “It's no secret, last year he was one of our best players defensively. In saying that, we have a lot of guys. I don't think just one person can embody all of the different things that Barmore did for us. But we do have guys that are hungry. We do have guys that can penetrate the offensive line. I'm not too concerned about that.”
Players who could take on larger roles in Barmore’s absence include Daniel Ekuale and veteran newcomer Armon Watts, who came over from Pittsburgh in free agency.
The 6-foot-5, 307-pound Watts noted Monday that he had his most productive season after starter Michael Pierce suffered an injury for Minnesota in 2021. Pushed into a more prominent role, Watts notched five sacks and 10 QB hits, surpassing his totals from his other four pro seasons combined.
Jeremiah Pharms, Trysten Hill, Sam Roberts and the newly signed Josiah Bronson are other D-tackles vying for roster spots in Patriots camp.
“Obviously, (Barmore is) a big part of this defense,” Watts said. “It’s up to us on the D-line to step up and do what we need to do. I don’t think we need a superhero. I just think we need guys that can do their jobs and do it to the best of their ability. … Coach Jerry (Montgomery) is doing a good job of getting us ready. I think we’ll be fine.”
Barmore’s scary health development isn’t the only question facing this New England defense. Starting D-tackle Davon Godchaux and top pass-rusher Matthew Judon both are in the midst of contract disputes that have affected their availability.
Godchaux upped his participation Monday, taking part in team drills in the team’s first padded practice after his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, stopped by for a long conversation with director of player personnel Matt Groh. Judon, meanwhile, attended only part of the session — as a sweatpants-wearing non-participant — and was seen having animated chats with both Mayo and Groh.
Both players said last week they are unhappy with their current deals. They’re not among the numerous Patriots players who have either re-signed or inked extensions since the offseason began — a list that includes Barmore (four years, $84 million).
The Patriots also are dealing with an apparent injury in the secondary, as starting safety Jabrill Peppers spent most of practice receiving treatment in the athletic training shed.
