Less than nine months after tearing the ACL in his right knee, veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs is on track for full participation in the New England Patriots’ upcoming training camp.
According to a report by Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the 31-year-old has been cleared for a full workload ahead of camp. The Patriots are expected to “monitor his reps early on,” but this is nonetheless another encouraging development for both Diggs and his new team.
A fifth-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings
in 2015, Diggs became one of the NFL’s most productive pass catchers during his four-year stint with the Buffalo Bills from 2020 to 2023. He was traded to the Houston Texans last offseason and despite a change of scenery picked up right where he left off.
However, after hauling in 47 passes for 496 yards and three touchdowns over his first eight games as a Texan, he went down with a non-contact knee injury in a late October game against Indianapolis. An MRI later revealed a torn ACL, leading to season-ending surgery.
Even though Diggs subsequently entered unrestricted free agency in full rehabilitation mode, the Patriots felt confident enough to sign him to a three-year, $63.5 million contract (a deal structured to give the club plenty of financial security, though). He did participate in New England’s offseason workout program but was held out of competitive 11-on-11 work.
Still, the arrow was pointing in the right direction for Diggs at that point in time. Nothing has since changed as evidenced by this latest report and the fact that he was not among the players sent to the physically unable to perform list over the weekend.
The Patriots’ first practice of this year’s training camp is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, at 10:15 a.m. ET.
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