Carolina Panthers update newly-acquired cornerback's status
The Carolina Panthers on Oct. 6 made a significant transaction with the New England Patriots, giving away just a 2023 sixth-round pick in exchange for four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
The Patriots planned to release Gilmore while he was on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a quad injury. According to NFL rules, players on the PUP list are first able to return to practice after Week 6 — and surely enough, Gilmore was back on the field today, making his Carolina Panthers practice debut.
“He is progressing as expected and as hoped,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Wednesday. “When the Carolina Panthers made that big trade for him … the belief was that at the first-available opportunity, which is today, he would be off the PUP list and able to practice. He is able to practice today, and that is a good sign.”
While Gilmore was able to practice in some capacity, Rapoport added that Panthers fans should not expect the Pro Bowler in the lineup in the immediate future.
“Here is the thing though. I wouldn’t necessarily expect him on the field for a game right away,” he continued. “Gilmore has not practiced at all, in any form or fashion, since he injured his quad late last season. So, he might need a couple of weeks to kind of get back into form and become the player that he once was. They do believe he’s healthy; they believe physically, he should be OK, but when you haven’t practiced at all, it may take some time.”
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.