Carolina Panthers open Stephon Gilmore's practice window

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore could soon be returning to practice for the Carolina Panthers. Gilmore, who the Panthers acquired in a trade recently, has been on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list while dealing with a quad injury.

Players that were on the PUP list are first able to return to practice after Week 6. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that while Gilmore could return to practice, his return to game shape could take some time.

“The Panthers, who traded for Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore (quad) while he was on the PUP list, are expected to open Gilmore’s practice window this week,” Rapoport tweeted. “He hasn’t practiced in months, so it all may take time. But an important step should happen this week.”

The Panthers acquired Gilmore in early October

When first round cornerback Jaycee Horn went down with a major injury, the Panthers moved quickly in addressing their depth in the secondary. First, Carolina acquired former top ten pick CJ Henderson in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Then, the Panthers came swooping in when rumors surfaced of the Patriots potentially releasing Gilmore.

The Panthers instead sent a 2023 sixth round pick to the Patriots to ensure they could bring in Gilmore. New England moved on from Gilmore to give the team more cap flexibility. Gilmore has a $7 million base salary this season and is due to become a free agent in the offseason.

Once Gilmore works his way back to game shape, he will provide a big boost to a solid Panthers defense. Gilmore was the tenth overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft out of South Carolina by the Buffalo Bills. He played five seasons in Buffalo before signing in New England in 2017. Gilmore won the 2019 AP Defensive Player of the Year award.

After a 3-0 start, the Panthers have dropped three games in a row and now sit at 3-3 on the season.