Report: Panthers star cornerback to make return from injury

Panther cornerback Stephon Gilmore is set to make his return to the field from injury in Week 8, per NFL reporter Albert Breer. Gilmore is fully healthy but missing Week 7 against the Giants to rest.

The cornerback was traded to the Panthers from the Patriots earlier this month. To this point, he has spent the entire season on the physically unable to perform list because of a quad injury he suffered last year.

A four-time Pro Bowler, Gilmore will add depth to a Carolina secondary in need of some help. The Panthers started the season 3-0, but have since dropped three straight games to ball to .500.

Carolina is scheduled to take on the Atlanta Falcons on Halloween. Thanks to the return of Stephon Gilmore from injury, they will have another key piece as they attempt to catch up with Tampa Bay in the NFC South.

The Panthers could use this bit of good injury news as they have been hit hard as of late. They placed star running back Christian McCaffrey and rookie guard Deonte Brown on injured reserve this past week. Rookie running back Chuba Hubbard, who hails from Oklahoma State, has been filling in for McCaffrey’s absence.

Gilmore spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills, who drafted him 10th overall in 2012. He joined the New England Patriots in 2017 and helped them win a Super Bowl in 2018. He led the NFL in passes defended (20) and interceptions (6) the following season in 2019.

A native of South Carolina, Gilmore spent his college years as a member of the Gamecocks football team. They finished with an 11-2 record in his final season and a victory in the Capital One Bowl.

One would have to think he is happy to be back near his home state, and hopefully it will have a positive impact on his play.