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New England Patriots starting defensive tackle Christian Barmore, who was limited to just four games last season because of an issue with blood clots, is expected to join the team next week for its voluntary offseason program.

That’s according to first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, who talked with reporters Monday at the NFL’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.

Vrabel said he saw Barmore, 25, recently and could tell by the lineman’s “energy and presence” that he was feeling better but that medical staff would continue to monitor him.

“It’s something very serious. We take the health of our players extremely serious, especially when you’re talking about something like blood clots,” Vrabel said, adding the team would develop a plan for him.

Barmore, taken by the Patriots in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, missed the first 10 games last season. He played in four games, then missed the rest of the season due to a recurrence of the blood clots.

In 48 career games (11 starts), Barmore has 13.5 sacks, 139 tackles, 33 QB hits and one forced fumble. He signed four-year, $83 million contract extension with the franchise on April 29, 2024.

–Field Level Media