Panthers LB Shaq Thompson (foot) is active for today's game against the Falcons. He hasn't played since Week 4 because of the foot injury. CB Stephon Gilmore is also off the PUP and set to make his debut for what should be an improved Carolina defense.

Following Wednesday morning reports that the Patriots were releasing CB Stephon Gilmore, the Panthers swooped in to get him for a 2023 third-round pick. The veteran corner must remain on the PUP list through 6 weeks for a quad injury. Beyond that, though, trading for his big contract (about $5.8 million left this year) says that Carolina plans to start Gilmore. That begs the question of whether C.J. Henderson -- acquired from Jacksonville in another recent trade -- will have room to enter the lineup. The Panthers lost CB Jaycee Horn to a foot injury, but Donte Jackson has been holding down the other side. None is likely to be much of an IDP factor, though, so that question doesn't matter too much for fantasy football purposes. Overall, we'd have to say Carolina has enhanced a unit that has started 2021 well.