New England Patriots star defensive lineman Christian Barmore is out indefinitely after suffering from a blood clot.
The Patriots said in a statement that Barmore was diagnosed “over the weekend.” Barmore recently signed a four-year contract extension worth up to $84 million and celebrated his 25th birthday on Sunday.
“Over the weekend, Christian Barmore was diagnosed with a blood clot,” the team said. “He was treated appropriately by physicians at Massachusetts General Hospital Brigham Hospital, where he was tested, evaluated and treated.”
“Our primary concern at this time is Christian’s health and well-being. We are fortunate to have some of the best medical care in the world at Massachusetts General Hospital Brigham.”
“At this time there is no set timetable for his return, but we know Christian is receiving excellent care and we expect him to make a full recovery.”
Barmore’s agent, Nicole Lynn, emphasized the seriousness of Barmore’s health in a social media post shortly after the Patriots thanked trainer Jim Whalen.
It would be remiss of me not to thank Patriots trainer Jim Whalen for his extraordinary hard work and care over the past few days. Without Jim’s tenacity and expertise, today’s game may have gone very differently. https://t.co/Al6r2PDdpr
— Nicole Lynn (@AgentNicoleLynn) July 28, 2024
Barmore was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and had a breakout third season in 2023. The former Alabama player appeared in all 17 games, recording 65 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. The contract extension he signed with the team included more than $40 million in guaranteed money.
The Patriots view him as the focal point of a defense that was a bright spot in a dismal 2023 season. New England finished with a 4-13 record last season after allowing just 4.7 yards per play and 21.5 points per game while its offense scored fewer than 14 points per game.
New England selected former University of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the No. 3 pick in this spring’s 2024 NFL Draft as it begins an overhaul of its offensive line under new coach and longtime Bill Belichick assistant Jerrod Mayo.
