Ex-Patriot Stephon Gilmore says he didn’t like how New England handled his injury situation

The Patriots will see an outdated good friend in Stephon Gilmore after they face the Panthers in Carolina for a Week 9 matchup on Sunday. This would be the first time that New England has confronted its former star nook since dealing him to the Panthers on Oct. 6. Whereas talking to reporters on Wednesday main into this head-to-head, Gilmore famous that a part of the rationale why the 2 sides determined to half methods centered round his quad damage.

Gilmore suffered the damage in Week 15 of final season and underwent surgical procedure in December. From there, he’d miss everything of the group’s offseason exercises, started the summer time on the bodily unable to carry out checklist, after which was positioned on injured reserve previous to roster cutdowns, that means he was set to overlook the primary six weeks of the common season. He did not play one other down for New England earlier than being moved to Carolina. 

“I wasn’t prepared in the beginning of coaching camp, I’ll be fully sincere with you,” Gilmore mentioned, through WEEI.com. “The one factor [was] I simply did not like how they dealt with my scenario with my damage. Lots went on with that that I did not agree with and now that I’m right here, I’m able to do the issues I have to do to get me again and be able to the place I must be.

“I realized lots there and acquired a whole lot of pals there, a whole lot of nice coaches. I simply did not like how they dealt with my scenario with my damage.” 

After all, there was additionally a monetary element to Gilmore and the Patriots’ relationship fracturing. The previous NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months was open about wanting a contract that introduced him as much as a extra respectable stage and amongst his friends on the cornerback place, as an alternative of the $7 million he was set to be paid within the last 12 months of his contract. Whereas he is nonetheless taking part in underneath that take care of the Panthers, Gilmore did not reply whether or not or not he would have returned to play for the Patriots underneath that deal as soon as he was eligible to come back off injured reserve in Week 7. 

Gilmore did acknowledge that there was a dialog had between he and Patriots coach Invoice Belichick and the 2 did stroll away in settlement that it was greatest to maneuver on. 

“Like I mentioned, we had a dialog and it was higher for each of us to go in reverse instructions — whether or not it was the contract, or no matter — it was higher for each of us to go our reverse methods,” he mentioned.

In his first recreation with the Panthers final week, Gilmore was focused 4 occasions and allowed two catches for 19 yards and recorded an interception.