New England Patriots - NESN.com
Stefon Diggs passed his physical and will take the field without any limitations when the New England Patriots open training camp, as confirmed by head coach Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel shared the latest on the veteran wide receiver, who was recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in October. Vrabel’s sentiments confirmed what was reported by multiple outlets just a few hours prior Tuesday morning.
“When he practices, when he took the rep, it was full-go,” Vrabel told reporters when asked if Diggs would be on a pitch count, per a team-provided video. “Everybody every day is going to have a different plan. There’ll be some players that aren’t out there for individual. There’ll be players just out there for team. There’ll be players that are just taking some specific reps. And my job is to manage that each and every day, but to ensure the football team that everybody’s working.”
Diggs was not placed on either the non-football injury (NFI) or the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, which indicated a positive trajectory.
“I don’t see any limitations right now,” Vrabel said. “Is he going to take every single rep of every single period? No, and I don’t think any player will. But I think we’re off to a good start and encouraged by what we saw here in the last couple days.”
Diggs signed a three-year, $63.5 million contract with the Patriots this offseason. The deal includes $25 million guaranteed, and he is now due his full $12 million signing bonus.
Vrabel credited Diggs for his work during the offseason, a major reason for his return to the field approximately nine months after tearing his ACL as a member of the Houston Texans.
“Well, I know that everybody heals differently, especially from that type of injury, but I would say that I think it’s just a testament to how hard he worked,” Vrabel said. “.. So appreciate their efforts (safety Marcus Epps, Diggs) to get back out there and get ready, and then we’ll continue to monitor as we work through training camp.”
The Patriots open training camp at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday.
