Patriots Expecting To See More Of Sidelined Teammate

FOXBORO, Mass. -- New England Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore made his return to Gillette Stadium on Tuesday.

No, he wasn't there to participate. It'll be a while before he finds his way back onto a football field, if he even returns at all. The Patriots just wanted him out there.

"(It was) great, man. Great," Patriots defensive lineman Davon Godchaux said Tuesday. "He's in great spirits. Seeing my teammate, my brother. I's great seeing him out there, but the most important thing is he's in great spirits. I know it's tough (for him). I tore my ACL senior year of high school, and I was out for the rest of the season.

"I'm not saying he's out for the rest of the season, but I know the feeling of being out. It can be dark days, so just seeing him smile."

Barmore was diagnosed with blood clots in July, which is expected to sideline him indefinitely. The Patriots have already begun to prepare for life without him, dishing out multiple contracts to help shore up the interior where the Alabama product might be out of action for a while.

Barmore watching a joint practice session with the Philadelphia Eagles was enough to lift the spirits of his teammates, though.

"I told him, 'Come around more, man. We miss you,'" Godchaux said. "It was just great seeing him at practice."