Pats will pay Christian Barmore’s salary despite absence

The Patriots are expected to pay defensive lineman Christian Barmore his full salary this season, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Barmore is on the Non-Football Injury list after being diagnosed with blood clots this summer. While NFL teams are not required to pay the full salaries of players on the NFI list, New England has chosen to do so.

Barmore, 25, is scheduled to make $1.8 million in base salary this season as he enters the final season of his rookie deal.

He signed a massive extension during the offseason — the largest contract for a non-quarterback in franchise history — that will kick in next year. It’s a four-year deal worth up to $92 million.

Blood clots can cause lengthy absences. Offensive lineman David Andrews once missed an entire season while dealing with blood clots.

The Patriots have not given a timeline for Barmore’s return, but they have kept the door open for a potential comeback this season. He’s listed on the NFI list as “designated to return.”

“That was just leaving open the possibility,” Mayo said last week. “Once again, look, we want Barmore to be healthy, and when he’s healthy, he’ll be out there.”

He’ll miss at least the first four games this season and could be out longer depending on how his recovery goes. The soonest Barmore could return, according to league rules, would be Oct. 6 against the Dolphins.

Barmore had a breakout season last year, posting a career-high 8.5 sacks and 64 tackles to go with six pass deflections.

His blood clot diagnosis came during training camp when the Patriots’ medical staff checked him out after he wasn’t feeling well. He was treated at Mass General Hospital and released.

Barmore was spotted on the sideline at the Patriots’ joint practice with the Eagles wearing street clothes.

His status for this season remains uncertain as the Patriots kick off the regular season at Cincinnati this weekend.