Christian Barmore is expected to return to practice after being hospitalized for blood clots during the summer, having been on the non-football illness list since then. His hospitalization occurred shortly after signing a four-year, $84 million contract extension, which positioned him among the NFL's highest-paid interior defenders. Barmore has made a significant impact on the field, recording a career-high 8.5 sacks in 2023, along with personal bests in tackles, quarterback hits, and tackles for loss. His return is a positive development for the Patriots, who have recently improved their performance after a rough start to the season.