Panthers' Matt Rhule non-committal on when Stephon Gilmore will debut

The Carolina Panthers acquired 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore via a trade with the New England Patriots on Oct. 6, and the two-time First-Team All-Pro practiced with his new teammates for the first time Wednesday as he works to recover from the torn quad that prematurely ended his 2020 season. 

Per Darin Gantt of the Panthers' website, Carolina head coach Matt Rhule made it clear when speaking with reporters Wednesday he's not rushing Gilmore into action ahead of this Sunday's matchup against the struggling New York Giants. 

"Obviously, I'd love to have him play Sunday," Rhule said of his new cornerback. "Will he play, will he not play? I don't know." 

Gantt added Rhule and company will first see how Gilmore responds to on-the-field work before determining if the 31-year-old will be activated off the reserve/physically unable to perform list. 

"Just trying to get him healthy right now," Rhule continued about the process. "I think one of the worst things you can do to football players is have expectations based on what they did in the past, start evaluating guys against what they're getting paid or where they got drafted. Everybody is on our team, we have a standard for how we want guys to play, attention to detail and effort. . . .

"He's done a lot of great things. I love having him around. I just want him to play football; it's what he does really well. Whenever he's ready, he'll play."

The Panthers have lost three straight games to drop to 3-3 and seemingly could use any available help. However, the Giants are 1-5, fell to the Los Angeles Rams at home 38-11 this past Sunday, and may be close to trading just about anybody who isn't locked down on long-term contracts.

In short, Rhule keeping Gilmore a spectator until the Week 8 matchup at the Atlanta Falcons on Halloween may behoove everyone involved.