FOXBORO >> The 2023 season was the best of Christian Barmore’s NFL career. The year that followed was the worst of his life.

The Patriots defensive tackle was diagnosed with blood clots last summer and missed nearly the entire 2024 campaign as a result. He sat out until mid-November, played in four games and then was shut down for the season after his symptoms — which included severe shortness of breath — returned.

Now, nearly a year removed from his initial diagnosis, Barmore feels like himself again. The 25-year-old has been a full participant in spring practice and projects as a vital cog in Mike Vrabel’s new-look Patriots defense.

“That stuff I went through, I would never want anybody to go through that,” Barmore said after Monday’s mandatory minicamp practice. “… Now I can breathe again.”

His goal: prove to the rest of the NFL that he’s still the player who racked up 64 tackles, 8 1/2 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, 13 tackles for loss and six pass breakups two seasons ago.

“It’s really just a lot of fire in my heart, I could say that, because I feel like after that situation, people forget who I am,” Barmore said. “So I’m really bringing a lot of competitive (energy) with me. … (I want) just to prove that I’m still me, and I’m always going to be me.”

Barmore and big-money free agent signing Milton Williams are expected to anchor New England’s defensive line this season, with third-year pro Keion White and veteran newcomer Harold Landry leading its stable of edge-rushers. Head coach Mike Vrabel is banking on that group to both be stout against the run and inject life into a Patriots pass rush that ranked last in the NFL in sacks and sack rate in 2024.

“I think that’s got to be a strength for us this year, that front seven,” Vrabel said. “We certainly invested in that position, and I like how they’re competing. I like how they’re working.”

Asked whether he has any lingering limitations from his illness, Barmore said he’s “good to go” and has the “green light.” Vrabel wouldn’t comment on Barmore’s medical status but said he’s enjoyed working with the 2021 second-round draft pick.

“What I’ve seen is a player that is excited and that is coachable — extremely coachable,” Vrabel said. “He has some versatility. He’s rushed inside. He’s lined up outside. He’s worked extremely hard. You’ve seen him chase and play with great effort down the field. I’m excited to see where he’s at, but I’ve seen a lot of just improvement and a lot of engagement from him since the time that we’ve been here.”

Diggs impresses behind the scenes

Since joining the Patriots in March, Stefon Diggs has made more headlines for his antics on the high seas than for his play on the field.

The wide receiver’s New England teammates, however, say he’s been a positive influence as he works his way back from the torn ACL that ended his 2024 season last October.

“(He’s a) leader and a go-getter,” third-year slot receiver DeMario Douglas said. “Man, he works hard. Y’all can see it. He works hard, and it’s every day. Behind the scenes, he’s actually working, and I feel like he’s bringing along the young guys. Everybody in that (receiver) room, he’s bringing everybody along. … He doesn’t let up for nobody. If you don’t get your depth on a route, he’s going to say something.”

Second-year quarterback Drake Maye said he speaks often with Diggs, who attended some but not all of the Patriots’ voluntary organized team activities (OTAs). Maye believes he’ll benefit from having a pass-catcher of Diggs’ caliber.

“He seems like an awesome teammate,” Maye said. “He’s my next-door-to-my-locker locker mate, so he’s one down from beside me. We talk all the time. He’s a veteran in this league. He’s made a lot of plays, played in a lot of big games, so he’s just an awesome voice for this receiver room, for this offense. He’s played in some playoff games; he’s had some big games. And I think once he kind of recovers — he’s getting back out there — I’m looking forward to being able to throw him a few footballs. It’s always good to have a guy like that on your team.”

Diggs’ rehab is ongoing. He has yet to take part in competitive drills, typically working on a separate field with second-year receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (who’s recovering from offseason shoulder surgery) during full-speed 11-on-11 periods. The early glimpses of the 31-year-old in action have been encouraging, though.

At one point late in Monday’s practice, Diggs sprinted the length of the field to chase down cornerback Isaiah Bolden after an interception — despite not being involved in the initial play. He’s also shown good fluidity and burst during individual drills.

Vrabel, who urged Diggs to “make great decisions” after the wideout was caught on video holding a bag of unidentified pink powder while on a boat over Memorial Day weekend, offered an update on his integration.

“He’s trying to figure out where everything is and what his role is and making sure that as we add those situations — the third down, the no-huddle and red zone — that he’s staying up on it, working hard in his rehab,” Vrabel said. “Certain drills, he can be out there, and there’s certain drills that he won’t be, but I think he’s engaged, and I like his energy.”

Day 3 of minicamp canceled

The Patriots will wrap up their spring practice slate a day earlier than originally scheduled.

The team on Monday announced it had canceled Wednesday’s mandatory minicamp practice, which was set to be New England’s last before players departed for the summer. Players still will come to the facility that day, but the Patriots will not hold a full practice.

“I just felt like hopefully we can get two good days of work here and get going on to the offseason program,” Vrabel said. “We’ll still work; I just didn’t want to come out (and practice). We’ll be out on the field. We’ll be lifting, running and meeting.”

The Patriots often called off the final day of minicamp during Bill Belichick’s head-coaching tenure, choosing to hold just two mandatory spring practices after initially scheduling three. Outside of minicamp, the rest of the offseason program, including OTAs, is voluntary for players.

New England will hold its final spring practice on Tuesday. It will be open to reporters but closed to the public.

Training camp will begin in late July.

Hall of Fame ceremony set

The two newest members of the Patriots Hall of Fame will be enshrined this fall.

New England on Monday announced the red jacket ceremonies for Julian Edelman and Bill Parcells will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 at 4 p.m.

The free event open to the public will be held in Patriots Place Plaza in front of the team’s pro shop and Hall of Fame.

Edelman was elected to the Patriots Hall in his first year of eligibility, beating out fellow finalists Adam Vinatieri and Logan Mankins. Parcells, a five-time Patriots Hall finalist, was chosen by team owner Robert Kraft for induction as a contributor, making the former head coach the fifth individual to receive that designation.

The Patriots, led by 2023 Hall of Fame inductee Vrabel, will host the Pittsburgh Steelers the day after Edelman and Parcells are honored.