The Patriots don't know what to expect when it comes to the length of Christian Barmore's absence, so they've made sure to do their due diligence.
New England signed veteran defensive tackle Mike Purcell on Thursday, according to Equity Sports, adding some reinforcements to the interior.
Purcell, 33, originally entered the NFL when he signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He's been quite the journeyman throughout his career, though, spending time in San Francisco, Los Angeles (Rams), Chicago, Carolina, New England, Kansas City and Denver.
Purcell is most notable for his five-year stint with the Broncos, where he started 37 of his 65 appearances. The 6-foot-3, 330-pounder has been an above-average interior run defender, and could give the Patriots a rotational option behind Davon Godchaux.
Barmore, who is expected to miss significant time with blood clots, is a much different player, but the addition should allow New England to switch things up along the interior.
If Purcell looks familiar, perhaps you remember him for screaming at Russell Wilson in a Week 12 game against the Carolina Panthers in 2022.
