Christian Barmore update: Jerod Mayo has 'no timetable' on Patriots defender's return

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said Monday there’s “no timetable” on a return for star defensive lineman Christian Barmore, who was hospitalized with blood clots over the weekend.

“No timetable,” Mayo said. “I think all these situations are different, and I’m not a specialist in that world, so I don’t want to put a diagnosis or a timetable to come back. When he’s ready to go, we’ll be here waiting for him.”

Mayo added that Barmore is in “good spirits” and getting the necessary care he needs.

“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,” Mayo said.

The Patriots said in their statement Sunday that Barmore received treatment at the Mass General Brigham Hospital. He is not currently in the hospital, per Mayo.

“Over the weekend, Christian Barmore was diagnosed with blood clots,” the Patriots said in a statement. “He was appropriately treated by the doctors at Mass General Brigham, who tested, evaluated and treated Christian. Our principal concern at this time is Christian’s health and wellbeing. Fortunately, Mass General Brigham provides some of the best healthcare in the world. While there is no current timetable for his return, we know Christian is getting tremendous care and we look forward to his full recovery.”

Patriots have massive hole to fill on defensive line with Christian Barmore sidelined

Barmore, 25, is entering his fourth season in the NFL, all with the Patriots. A 2021 second round pick out of Alabama, Barmore is coming off his best season to date. He suited up in all 17 games, tallying 8.5 sacks and 64 tackles (39 solo). He added 13 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits and one forced fumble. The Patriots rewarded him this offseason with a four-year extension worth a maximum value of $92 million.

With Barmore out, New England will need others to step up in his absence, players such as Armon Watts and Josiah Bronson.

“We’ll see. Today’s the first day of pads. And it’s easy to say this guy can do it, that guy can do it, but a guy like Barmore, as disruptive as he is, it’s kind of hard to get that same production,” Mayo 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.”