Controversy between coach Mike Vrabel of the Patriots and members of the media arises over Stefon Diggs' questionable participation in the team's season opener
Stefon Diggs, the wide receiver for the New England Patriots, is making a comeback after suffering a torn ACL last season with the Houston Texans. Despite the usual recovery time for such an injury being between 9-12 months, Diggs has been given medical clearance to practice and has been involved in the majority of the Patriots' training camp sessions. He has even made significant plays, suggesting he is ahead of schedule in his recovery[1][2][3].
However, the question of Diggs' availability for the season opener against an as-yet-unspecified opponent remains uncertain. During an appearance on the "Scoop City" podcast, Diggs stated that he feels great but is taking it day by day, indicating a cautious approach[4]. Head Coach Mike Vrabel, a former linebacker for the Patriots who won three Super Bowls with the team, has expressed high expectations for Diggs' contribution to the offense once he is fully available[4].
Despite the positive signs, the Patriots are taking a wait-and-see approach for Week 1. Diggs himself has been noncommittal about his availability, and the coaching staff seems to share this cautious stance[2][3]. Vrabel was asked about Diggs' availability for the team's season opener and took issue with the line of questioning, implying that the focus should be on the team's preparations as a whole[5].
Prior to his injury-shortened run with the Houston Texans, Diggs recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in six consecutive seasons. He agreed to a three-year deal with the Patriots in March and had a promising start before the injury[6]. However, he missed the preseason opener due to a "coach's decision" and was not in uniform for Saturday's preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings[7]. It is unclear whether Diggs participated in the joint practice with the Vikings that resulted in a fight.
As Diggs continues his recovery and the season opener approaches, fans and analysts will be eagerly watching to see if he can return to his form from before the injury and help the Patriots in their quest for another Super Bowl victory.
[1] ESPN [2] NBC Sports Boston [3] CBS Boston [4] The Athletic [5] MassLive [6] NFL.com [7] Boston.com
Stefon Diggs' recovery from the torn ACL injury has gone better than expected, with him making significant plays in training camp[1][2][3]. However, his availability for the season opener remains uncertain, with Diggs himself taking a cautious approach[2][3].
