The New England Patriots are one of the top teams in the NFL this season, entering Week 12 with a league-best 9-2 record. Mike Vrabel has quickly turned things around, and Drake Maye has made a phenomenal second-year leap.
There’s not much to complain about in New England, but the team still has to navigate inevitable hiccups like injuries.
One injury the Patriots are currently trying to navigate is Milton Williams' high ankle sprain. The veteran defensive tackle was recently placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games. He has been a force for New England since joining the team this year, so he will be hard to replace.
However, his absence will open the door for Christian Barmore to re-establish himself as an impact player.
Christian Barmore can re-establish himself as a key player for Patriots with Milton Williams sidelined
Barmore was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and developed into an important piece for the defense. By his third season, Barmore officially became a problem for offenses, recording 8.5 sacks, 64 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, and 16 quarterback hits. The career year earned him a four-year, $92 million extension in the spring of 2024.
Unfortunately, three months after signing the deal, Barmore was diagnosed with blood clots and was limited to just four games as a result in 2024. Thankfully, the defensive tackle entered this season healthy and has been working to get his promising career back on track. In 11 games, he has just one sack, 17 tackles, three tackles for a loss, and six quarterback hits.
With Williams now sidelined, though, Barmore will have the opportunity to step up in a bigger role and help fill the void left by the Super Bowl-winning Williams. This could be the moment Barmore needs to recapture his 2023 form, when he appeared to be developing into one of the best defensive tackles in the league.
If Barmore can capitalize on this opportunity and elevate his play, it’d be great news for him and the Patriots.