New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore suffered a knee injury in practice on Thursday that required an MRI, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Gilmore has not been ruled out of New England's Week 8 matchup against the AFC East–leading Buffalo Bills (5-2) on Sunday at Bills Stadium.
#Patriots star CB Stephon Gilmore tweaked his knee and had an MRI after leaving practice early Thursday. Source said the injury was deemed minor. Though his status for Sunday is not fully clear, he has not been ruled out yet.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 30, 2020
The details of Gilmore's injury could potentially impact the organization's efforts to trade him before Tuesday's deadline.
The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year has been the subject of trade rumors for months. The Patriots reportedly made calls about Gilmore in the spring, then made a second attempt to deal him before the season. The speculation has ramped up again as the deadline approaches.
But, a knee injury could throw a wrench in the Patriots plans, which Bill Belichick refused to entertain earlier this week.
Here was the exact wording of @MarkDanielsPJ's question: pic.twitter.com/TQUphCkviT
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) October 28, 2020
Gilmore, 30, has one year left on his contract at a cap hit of $16.4 million, none of which is guaranteed. As the MMQB's Albert Breer noted, the Patriots would likely have to settle for, at best, a mid-round draft pick in exchange for the veteran corner.
We talked here about the idea the Patriots could deal Stephon Gilmore. https://t.co/uOToY090GW
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 27, 2020
“They have talked about the idea of trading Stephon Gilmore,” Breer added. “They were in contact with other teams on this in March and April and then again in August … they absolutely did have conversations with other teams about dealing Stephon Gilmore.”
The cornerback placed his house in Foxboro up for sale amid the trade buzz.
Gilmore had six interceptions last season, but has just one in 2020. The Patriots have slumped to a 2-4 record and sit third in the AFC East. The Patriots rank 26th in defensive DVOA after finishing the 2019 season with the top-ranked defense in football.
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