Stephon Gilmore reportedly ends holdout, will begin training camp on PUP

The biggest question facing the Patriots heading into training camp has been answered. Kind of.

As first reported by

Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore was present when team veterans reported to training camp, per source.

He will begin camp on PUP after a season-sending injury in 2020.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 22, 2021">Field Yates of ESPN, Stephon Gilmore was present on Thursday when Patriots veterans reported for training camp. Gilmore had held out of spring practices due to his contract, which currently has him as the 26th-highest paid cornerback in football.

According to

No new contract, but Stephon Gilmore is present in New England. He’ll take his time returning from his injury. https://t.co/Li4DlF7W3g

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 22, 2021">NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, there is “no new contract” for Gilmore, although he didn’t specify if a deal may be on the way. Gilmore is currently in the last year of his contract, and after getting a pay bump to end a holdout last summer, is due to make just $7.7 million in 2021.

Further complicating things is the fact that Gilmore will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. The 30-year-old suffered a partially torn quad late last season, and is still rehabbing the injury. The timetable for him to return to play is still unclear.

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  Seven other players will join Gilmore on PUP to start camp. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham, wide receiver Devin Smith, tight end Dalton Keene, defensive lineman Byron Cowart, linebackers Chase Winovich and Terez Hall, and special teams ace Brandon King were all placed on PUP as well. The team also placed three rookies on the NFI list on Wednesday.
  
  Players on PUP and NFI still count against the 90-man roster, and can be activated anytime before the end of training camp. If they're still on PUP when rosters cut down to 53 players, they'll no longer count against the total but won't be eligible to be activated for at least six weeks.
  
  The Patriots first training camp practice is set for Wednesday, July 28. Outside of the players on PUP and NFI, the remainder of the roster is expected to be in attendance.

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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.