Stephon Gilmore nearing debut with Panthers

The Panthers are set to open Stephon Gilmore’s practice window this week (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Once he’s off of the PUP list, the cornerback will be one step closer to making his 2021 debut. 

It’s not clear whether Gilmore will be ready to go for Week 7 against the Giants, but he should be ready to go sometime soon. Gilmore could probably use some extra time to prepare after months of rehab on his torn quad.

The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year didn’t get to pick his team, but things worked out pretty well for him. The Patriots were initially set to release Gilmore before they shipped him to the Panthers — a “dream come true” for the South Carolina native.

“I always wanted to [play for the Panthers], growing up as a kid,” Gilmore said (via the team website). “Some things you can’t control. But I always thought about it as a kid, and you always dreamed about it. But it happened, and I’m happy it happened.”

Once Gilmore returns, he’ll team with Donte Jackson to solidify the Panthers’ secondary.