Pro Football Rumors
With training camp approaching, it remained to be seen if Stefon Diggs would be moved to the physically unable to perform list due to his ACL recovery. The free agent addition was not among the players New England recently placed on the PUP list, however, suggesting he would be good to go for padded practices.
Indeed, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports Diggs has been cleared for full participation in training camp. The four-time Pro Bowler was limited in spring practices and noted last month that his recovery was not yet complete. The final stages of the rehab process have clearly taken place without issue, though, meaning Diggs will be a welcomed presence leading up to the regular season.
The Patriots were understandably in the market for a notable receiver addition this offseason given the nature of their depth chart at that spot in 2024. Diggs – whose Texans run ended in Week 8 when he tore his ACL – signed a three-year, $63.5MM deal to return to the AFC East. Expectations will be high for him as the team’s No. 1 receiver with quarterback Drake Maye entering Year 2 in the NFL. Diggs’ opening months as a Patriot were not without controversy, but with the team committed to him, he will spend the summer working his way back to his pre-injury form.
Diggs topped 1,000 yards every year from 2018-23, and he would have had a strong chance of continuing that streak last season if he had remained healthy. The 31-year-old’s 62 receiving yards per game were, on the other hand, his lowest since the 2017 campaign. Questions will be asked about Diggs’ ability to handle WR1 duties at this stage of his career, but providing Maye with a veteran pass-catching option should be highly valuable as the Patriots look to take a needed step forward on offense.
New England also has the likes of Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte and Javon Baker in the fold entering camp. 2024 second-rounder Ja’Lynn Polk‘s performances will be worth watching given his uncertain roster status, but another storyline to follow will be Diggs and how he fares with a clean bill of health.
