As of this writing, Carolina Panthers cornerback Stephon Gilmore hasn’t played a football game in 305 days. So how many more will be added to that total before we see him officially on the gridiron again?
Head coach Matt Rhule didn’t have a definitive answer to that on Wednesday when asked about the status of his newly-acquired defender, nor should he. Rhule simply said it’s going to be a wait-and-see approach.
“We set a rep count for him, and did individual drills,” he said of Gilmore’s first practice with the team. “We just have to wait and see how he responded to football movements his first time moving with us.”
The 2019 AP Defensive Player of the Year, in wrapping up his stint on the injured reserve due to a torn quad, just had his practice window opened by the Panthers this week. After missing the past eight games of regular-season play, including the last two contests of 2020, Gilmore is now eligible to be activated starting this Sunday.
But will he be?
“Obviously, I’d love to have him play Sunday,” Rhule said with a chuckle. “Will he play? Will he not play? I don’t know.”
Considering the team’s approach in not wanting to rush its players back (see McCaffrey, Christian), the smart money is on Gilmore sitting this one out. But when it’s time, it’s time. And time is of the essence for a reeling 3-3 Panthers squad.
“I love having him around,” Rhule added on Gilmore. “I just want him to play football. That’s what he does really well. Whenever he’s ready, he’ll play.”