FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Stephon Gilmore didn’t leave New England on the best terms.
The All-Pro cornerback hadn’t been pleased with his contract, and then was unhappy with how the Patriots wanted him to rehab a quad injury. Ultimately, he was dealt to Carolina for just a sixth-round pick.
“A lot went on with that that I didn’t agree with,” Gilmore said after being traded.
It appears that’s all water under the bridge now. Gilmore, who was voted to three Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl as well as a Defensive Player of the Year Award in New England, will return to Foxborough this weekend as a member of the Colts.
Ahead of that, he spoke with the Boston Herald and had nothing but glowing things to say about his time with the Patriots. Gilmore used the word “great” 15 times in the interview, referring to his Patriots experience, Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft, and even current quarterback Mac Jones.
“I had a lot of great games, a lot of accolades, and I got coached by a great coach,” Gilmore saif. “Robert Kraft was great to me, too. It’s where I played some of my best ball. We won a lot there. So it was a great experience. It was a great place to play. There’s a great atmosphere there. And it’s a great opportunity for me to play there again. To me, it’s one of the best football cities in America.”
He doubled down on his praise of Belichick, too, speaking highly of his demeanor with players behind the scenes in the Patriots locker room. If there was any bad blood after Gilmore left, it looks like it’s long gone now.
“He has a personality,” Gilmore said. “They don’t think he does, but he does. He was a great coach to play for. He taught me a lot, he taught players a lot. He’s a football guy. People probably know that, but he’s really a football guy. He eats, breathes, and sleeps football. I love that about him … he has relationships with his players. He has a great balance and you need that from a great coach like him.”
INJURY UPDATE: Patriots offensive tackle Marcus Cannon missed Thursday’s practice with a concussion, a new injury that is likely to rule him out for Sunday’s game versus the Colts.
Cannon recently replaced right tackle Isaiah Wynn in the starting lineup. Either Wynn or fourth-year backup Yodny Cajuste figures to fill Cannon’s shoes on Sunday. His absence could compound issues for the team’s offensive line.
According to reports, Patriots running back Damien Harris missed his second straight practice after initially being listed on the team’s injury report with an illness.
Starting wide receiver DeVante Parker and center David Andrews were also absent for a second straight day. Parker has a knee injury, and Andrews continues to recover from the concussion he suffered in Week 7 versus the Bears.
If Parker cannot play, the Patriots will likely continue to roll with veterans Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne around second-round rookie Tyquan Thornton with Nelson Agholor coming off the bench.
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