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Carolina Panthers News
My take from new Panthers CB Stephon Gilmore after his press conference today: 1. He will bring a calming impact and leadership on a young secondary that can't help but help: 2. There are no guarantees he will be ready by Week 7 for the Giants but he will work hard to make that happen; 3. He really wanted to play at Carolina, saying he probably would have signed here had he been released; 4. He wants to prove his worth to get an extension, whether here or somewhere else.
To say Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson was happy about the trade with New England for Pro Bowl corner Stephon Gilmore would be an understatement. "That's pretty dope, man,'' Jackson said. He added it let the defense know management is confident they can win now.
Panthers GM Scott Fitterer, who is a neighbor of cornerback Stephon Gilmore in the Charlotte area, when I asked if he had any neighbors who could play left tackle with Cam Erving in doubt for the Eagles with a neck injury. "Maybe during Halloween I'll go knock on the doors and ask,'' he said with a laugh. "Unfortunately, I haven't found one, yet.''
To summarize the last few hours for the Panthers: X They traded for Pro Bowl CB Stephon Gilmore, who will be eligible to play Week 7. X They saw running back Christian McCaffrey return to practice and he moved well during the media portion of practice. Officially, he was limited. X They may not have their leading tackler, LB Shaq Thompson (foot), or LT, Cameron Erving (neck), on Sunday. Both were not at practice.