Carolina activated Stephon Gilmore from the physically unable to perform list Saturday and the All-Pro cornerback will make his Panthers debut Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons
The Panthers acquired Gilmore in a trade with the New England Patriots on Oct. 6, giving up a 2023 sixth-round draft pick.
The 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Gilmore has been on the PUP list this season while recovering from surgery for a torn quad in December. He was eligible to return starting in Week 7.
A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Gilmore was in the final season of a five-year, $65 million deal signed with the Patriots in 2017. He had made it clear to the Patriots that he wanted to be among the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL, but the two sides were unable to agree on a restructured deal.
Byron Jones of the Miami Dolphins is the top-paid cornerback at $16.1 million, according to Spotrac.
Gilmore spent the first five seasons of his career with the Buffalo Bills, who selected him No. 10 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. In 124 career games (122 starts), he has 411 tackles, one sack, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He has intercepted 25 passes and returned them for 452 yards, including two touchdowns.
Gilmore, 31, is a native of Rock Hill, S.C., located about 30 miles from the Panthers’ home in Charlotte, N.C. He still lives in the area.
The Panthers (3-4), who have lost four straight games, also placed defensive end Darryl Johnson (hamstring) on injured reserve and promoted wide receiver Keith Kirkwood and punter Lachlan Edwards from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s game at Atlanta (3-3).