Carolina Panthers must treat Stephon Gilmore’s injury with care if they want to keep the All-Pro cornerback around beyond the 2021 season.
Stephon Gilmore has been a revelation for the Carolina Panthers since coming over in a mid-season trade with the New England Patriots. Shutting down whoever he was put against to a masterful level and adding a sense of veteran leadership the team was sorely lacking.
But the last man standing in the Panthers‘ secondary went down in the third quarter with a non-contact groin injury when racing after tight end Rob Gronkowski during their home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This continues a disturbing trend that started in the preseason with Troy Pride Jr. and has taken down rookie sensation Jaycee Horn, rising veteran Donte Jackson, solid slot player A.J. Bouye, and now Gilmore.
Injuries cant be undone and there is relatively little that a team can do to prevent them. However, the Panthers can control rehabilitation and make the correct decision on treatment.
Something the Panthers have never done with Christian McCaffrey.
Carolina Panthers must handle Stephon Gilmore’s injury with caution.
This is all the more important with Gilmore as the star corner has gone on the record saying that a large reason for his departure from New England was the way that they treated his torn quad last season.
"“I just didn’t like how they handled my situation, my injury. A lot went on with that I didn’t agree with. Now that I’m here, I’m able to do the things I have to do to get me back ready to where I need to be. I learned a lot there. I have a lot of friends there. A lot of great coaches. I just didn’t like how they handled my situation with my injury.”"
Getting this rehab right, proving to the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year that the team truly cares about his future wellbeing, will go a long way toward keeping him around after his contract is up this offseason. A coup that would shock many from the outside looking in.
The Panthers may have been in a win-now mode when they originally made the deal, but it’s time to look toward the future. Shutting down Gilmore now to keep him for next season is the right move. Especially with the expected departure of Jackson in free agency.
This won’t help the Panthers win on Sunday at the New Orleans Saints. But having the South Carolina product around next season will more than make up for that.
It’s pretty clear Gilmore is enjoying his time playing closer to home. Being around his loved ones all year round means there is a good chance he re-signs with the Panthers this offseason if the price is right.
However, if the team mismanages the injury and couples this with a clear lack of progression on the field, Gilmore’s status beyond the current campaign will be thrown into doubt.
That, in short, would be a monumental blow for the organization.