PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK: Respect for Gilmore grows

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore says that earning his teammates' respect matters most, but his selection to the Pro Bowl is an indication that respect for him exists throughout the league.

FOXBORO – Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore says that earning his teammates’ respect is what matters most to him.

In that regard, Gilmore, who learned he’s been selected to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday, has earned the respect of the player who has been starting opposite him for the bulk of the season.

“It’s awesome. Well deserved. I told him that earlier today,” Jason McCourty said Wednesday. “Just being in the room with him and watching him play this year, how well he’s performed week in and week out having the toughest challenge in our room. Whoever he’s going up against he’s showed up each and every week making plays that have been huge for us in winning games.”

Gilmore, who was also voted to the Pro Bowl in 2016, his final season in Buffalo prior to signing with New England as an unrestricted free agent in March 2017, said the selection – determined by the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches – was meaningful since his peers were involved in it.

“It’s big,” he said. “Sometimes you don’t get those votes, sometimes you do, so you just kind of try to handle your business on the field. As long as your teammates respect you, that’s really what matters to me, but it is an honor to get voted to the Pro Bowl. But that’s not going to help me this week. We’re going against Buffalo (at Gillette Stadium on Sunday) so that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Gilmore, who has started all 14 of the Patriots’ games to date, ranks 10th on the team in tackles with 41, has two interceptions, 18 passes defensed, one sack, forced two fumbles and recovered one.

One Patriot limited: Brandon King was the only Patriot listed on Wednesday’s injury report.

The special teamer was limited in practice with a knee injury.

New addition: With the New York Jets plucking offensive lineman Eric Smith off their practice squad on Tuesday, the Patriots signed another offensive lineman, Toby Weathersby, to fill the void.

An undrafted free agent out of Louisiana State University, Weathersby signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in May, was placed on injured reserve in September and subsequently released by them on Oct. 2.