Stephon Gilmore will spend the first six weeks of the season on the PUP list, as the 2019 defensive player of the is currently sidelined with a quad injury, which Gilmore sustained during the 2020 season.
Patriots placing Pro Bowl CB Stephon Gilmore on the Physically Unable To Perform List, which means he will miss at least the first six games, per source. He is recovering from quad surgery at end of last season. His agent Jason Chayut of @SPORTSTARSNYC confirmed the move to ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2021
Lower body injuries can significantly impact play at the cornerback position, specifically for Gilmore who will turn 31 in September. Cornerback is a young man’s position, but a talent like Gilmore should still be able to perform at an elite level. Gilmore’s play in the previous season saw a slight drop off from his 2019 campaign.
However, he will still remain paramount to the success of this Patriots defense. Joejuan Williams and Jalen Mills will likely see increased playing time until Gilmore returns. The improved front seven should help the secondary, but it would not be surprising to see this group struggle in the initial weeks without Gilmore.
(Photo of Stephon Gilmore by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)