The Carolina Panthers are set to get a big lift for their divisional showdown with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Carolina has activated cornerback Stephon Gilmore off the physically unable to perform list and the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year will make his Panthers debut in Week 8.
Gilmore has been out since the beginning of the season with a quadriceps injury that required offseason surgery. He was in the midst of a contract dispute with the New England Patriots throughout the offseason, and the Pats eventually decided to trade him.
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After beginning the season 3-1, Carolina came to the plate with an offer of a 2021 sixth-round pick in exchange for Gilmore's services. The Panthers have since lost three consecutive games, extending their losing streak to four. The defense that spearheaded their hot start to the year has fallen off a bit in recent weeks. After allowing 30 total points through the first three games, the Panthers have allowed an average of 29 per game over the last four contests.
Getting Gilmore into the lineup will surely help the team's pass defense, and he should spend a lot of time defending Falcons wideout Calvin Ridley on Sunday. The offense is the Panthers' bigger issue at the moment, though. Sam Darnold's strong start to the year is a distant memory, and the team still does not yet know when Christian McCaffrey will return to the lineup. Gilmore's presence won't be any help there, though if the defense gets back to form, it could put Darnold in better position to succeed than he has been over the last few games.
