Christian Barmore

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports, “The Patriots are bracing for the possibility that DT Christian Barmore, who’s on reserve/non-football injury list while being treated for blood clots, won’t play this season.”

According to Fowler, the Patriots don’t want to rush Barmore’s recovery and won’t force him on the field until he’s fully ready to go. Barmore was diagnosed with blood clots back in late July and was placed on the reserve/NFI list during roster cutdowns. Barmore totaled a career-high 64 tackles and 8.5 sacks last season and was recently signed to a four-year contract extension. His absence would be a tough blow to a Patriots defense that ranked 15th last season and allowed the seventh-fewest yards per game.