Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott opened his Tuesday morning press conference saying he was "very concerned" about the absence of veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs at mandatory minicamp.
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Leading up to the opening of Tuesday's mandatory minicamp, many within the organization had expected the 29-year-old to be in attendance.
At the beginning of OTAs, Bills quarterback Josh Allen said he wished Diggs was in attendance for workouts, which were voluntary at the time. McDermott says missing time now does hurt the team.
"When players miss, in particular a player of 'Stef's' caliber, you'd love to have those players here. But overall, I've been pleased with the attendance and the guys' effort," he said.
In the hours following Tuesday's press conference, the Bills confirmed Diggs was present in Orchard Park for pre-minicamp medical testing on Monday, and was also at the team facility Tuesday morning. However, Diggs allegedly left before the beginning of Tuesday's practice.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter was told by Diggs' agent, Adisa Bakari, the veteran had met with McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane over the course of the past two days, and the plans were for him to be at mandatory minicamp for the entirety of the week.
Other than Diggs, none of the other 89 players currently on the roster are absent from the three-day week of mandatory minicamp.
As pointed out by NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero, Diggs is set to make $24.415 million in 2023, including a $22.745 million signing bonus as part of a restructure of his contract in March. According to Spotrac, Diggs' dead cap hit would amount to more than $45.466 million.
As it goes with mandatory minicamp, all players under contract must attend or be fined by the team. Those fines are $16,459 for missing one day, $32,920 for missing a second day and $49,374 a third day.
This will be the final offseason tune-up before training camp begins in late July at St. John Fisher University in Rochester.
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