Pats Pulpit
Tuesday marked one year to the date that Stefon Diggs underwent surgery on his torn ACL. On the anniversary, his new quarterback made sure to pass along a message.
“I think he’s got to be just proud of himself, I think that’s one of the biggest things,” Drake Maye said. “Proud of his work, proud of how far he’s come. I told him that the other day, he hit his one-year [mark] since surgery. Proud of the way he’s handled what he’s been through.
“ACL surgery, bouncing back and coming, making plays, being ready to go Week 1 — says a lot about him as a football player, as a person, how much he’s worked.”
Suffering a torn ACL last October, work was the defining word when it came to Diggs’ rehab. The veteran receiver attacked the process in order to return to action ahead of the typical recovery timeline.
“I wasn’t necessarily surprised, but I was more so taken back a couple of times as far as the progression happening pretty well for me,” Diggs said. “I knew that I attacked it with the mindset of that and I was never scared. Like I always said, ‘The worst happened already so let me just get after as much as I can and prepare the right way.’
“So, it’s been an ongoing process even throughout the season as far as training and getting my body where it needed to be. So, I wasn’t necessarily surprised. I was prepared, I worked for it, and here we are.”
Signing a three-year deal with the Patriots in free agency, Diggs’ work allowed him to be fully cleared for the beginning of training camp after spending the spring limited. It was there his chemistry truly began to develop with Maye — one that has now carried over to start the regular season.
Through 11 games, Diggs leads all New England pass catchers in targets (72), receptions (59), receiving yards (659), and first downs (34) as he’s become a go-to option for Maye through the air.
“I think he’s got to be in the running for Comeback Player of the Year as much as he’s done for this football team leadership-wise and play-wise,” Maye said. “Just do my part to get him the football. He’s a great player and I think he deserves a lot of credit for himself and people who have helped him to get back on time. He’s been a huge difference.”
Through it all, Diggs is thankful for how everything has worked out.
“I’m extremely grateful,” Diggs said. “I can’t thank God enough for where I’m at right now, more-so where I’m at with my team. I’m thankful to be where I’m at right now around a good group of guys. We spend a lot of time together and I say it’s like your little mini family because you spend more time some time with them than you do with your own family, so I’m thankful to be where I’m at....
