Two-time All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore is not at the first day of mandatory minicamp for the New England Patriots on Monday, multiple outlets reported.
Quarterback Cam Newton, however, is a full-go after injuring his hand during OTAs.
Missing Monday’s session would cost Gilmore $15,000, while missing all three days would rack up a total of roughly $93,000 in fines. Gilmore skipped all of the Pats’ voluntary workouts.
Gilmore is coming off surgery on his quadriceps, an injury that cost him the final two games of the 2020 season. Gilmore also missed time after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier in the season. He recorded three pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and 37 total tackles in 11 games played last season.
It’s unclear the reason for Gilmore’s absence on Monday.
Gilmore, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, is in the final year of a five-year, $65 contract and is scheduled to earn just $7 million this season, well below market value. However, the team last year moved $4.5 million of this year’s salary into his 2020 compensation, a boost in response to Gilmore’s DPOY from the prior season.
Newton, 32, sustained a bone bruise in his right hand during a June 4 practice session but showed up Friday and threw the ball quite a bit, per reports.
Newton re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year deal in March after going 7-8 and passing for 2,657 yards, eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his first season with New England in 2020.
–Field Level Media