For the first time since being diagnosed with blood clots in July, defensive tackle Christian Barmore took the practice field on Thursday — leaving both his teammates and coaches excited.

“Just look forward to having him back and around and see what he looks like,” defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery said. “We haven’t seen him for a while so it’s good to be able to get him on the practice field and see what happens.”

Appearing at practice on Thursday officially opens the New England Patriots’ 21-day window to activate Barmore off the non-football injury list and onto the 53-man roster.

Barmore back in business. pic.twitter.com/1volULD48K

— Brian Hines (@iambrianhines) November 14, 2024

Montgomery made sure to note that he is keeping his expectations in check for the star defensive tackle’s return, something defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington stressed shortly beforehand.

“To me, like, I look at it like this, and I’ve told Christian this, and I’ll tell you guys this too. Just remember, manage expectations,” Covington said Thursday morning. “You guys should manage the expectation of whatever it is. It’s a blessing to be out there on the field. That’s what the focus needs to be on. It’s a blessing to be out there on the field. Let’s go out there and do what you can do…

”There shouldn’t be any pressure on him, like he’s out there. That’s what it is: ‘I’m happy that you are out there, bro. You out there. It’s one snap; it’s 50 snaps. Don’t play this game. Whatever it is, perfect.’ It’s better than not being out there, right? It’s better than not being able to play football again. That’s kind of how I look at it.”

If Barmore is able to return to action, he’d be a welcomed addition to the Patriots defensive front. In a career-year last season that ended with a four-year, $84 million extension, the 25-year old posted a career-high 8.5 sacks to pair with 49 pressures.

Barmore’s 40 run stops last season were also a career-high, which would be a welcomed boost to New England’s run defense that has had issues this season.

“You talk about being an effective rusher, he just plays hard and doesn’t stop,” defensive ends coach Jerry Montgomery said. “He plays with a good rush motor, that’s what we call it. He does a great job there. And he’s pretty stout in the run. An effective ballplayer. So it’ll be nice to, at some point in time, get him back.”

Barmore’s presence will then make life easier for the rest of New England’s lineman, something that has Davon Godchaux excited to begin playing next to the “playmaker” again.

“You add more depth on the D-line room,” Godchaux said. “We’ve been playing four or five guys each and every week. So, you add another guy and we can rotate fast and just be fresh each and every play. I’m very excited.”