The flashiest free agent prize of the offseason for the Patriots was former All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who comes to New England after tearing his ACL last October during his lone season with the Houston Texans.
Despite the 31-year-old suffering a season-ending injury just nine months ago, Diggs has essentially been “full-go” this entire training camp season. Certain practices have seen Diggs getting varying amounts of reps both in individual drills as well as 11 on 11s.
Head coach Mike Vrabel has mentioned on numerous occasions that each player has their own individualized maintenance plan to fit their own specific needs, and their handling of Diggs this summer has backed that up.
Regardless of what that final rep total has looked like on a daily basis, he’s been on the practice field every single day, running sharp routes and looking sure-handed as offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels continues installing a new offense during this third stint as the team’s OC.
But we haven’t seen Diggs take a single snap of preseason action, which has some fans wondering if their new No. 1 wideout would be available to quarterback Drake Maye as a pass catcher come Week 1 against the Raiders at Gillette Stadium.
Vrabel was asked about his star wide receiver’s availability for the home opener on Monday’s edition of The Greg Hill Show during his second “Patriots Monday” interview of the season.
“I know we haven’t seen [Diggs] throughout the whole preseason, as far as the games,” said WEEI’s Jermain Wiggins. “What's the expectation for him Week 1?”
“I mean, that he's ready to go, and that he helps our offense, and that he helps Drake,” said Vrabel. “And again, I think that they're building a connection. I think that there's - you know, we've played a lot of different receiver combinations, and I think that that's been good. Whether that be in the red zone yesterday or in the two minute drive.
“And you know, guys are rolling in there and kind of finding a role. So again, I think the expectations are high for all of us. Whether that be Stef Diggs or Drake or me or Kyle Williams or anybody out there. The expectation is, this is professional football. So his attitude has been good. He's had a willingness, and I've decided to keep him out of those preseason games that you mentioned.”
By Tuesday, we’ll see who else will be joining Diggs as a member of the Patriots’ wide receivers room for the 2025 season, as that marks the league-wide deadline for teams to cut down their roster to 53 men in advance of Week 1.
Diggs, Williams, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins all appear to be locks, with undrafted rookie Efton Chism seemingly playing himself onto the roster this preseason as well.
Veteran Kendrick Bourne has been out since the team’s intrasquad scrimmage early in camp, and second-year receiver Javon Baker showed less-than-stellar performances at wideout during preseason action. The jury is still out on whether or not either player will be a part of the 2025 Patriots in some capacity.
As of publishing, the Patriots have already released 15 players from the 91 they had on their roster heading into the final preseason game:
- TE Jaheim Bell
- RB Micah Bernard
- DT Philip Blidi
- CB Isaiah Bolden
- TE Cole Fotheringham
- WR Phil Lutz
- LB R.J. Moten
- DT Kyle Peko
- CB Jordan Polk
- LB Monty Rice
- OL Layden Robinson
- G Tyrese Robinson
- G Sidy Sow
- RB Shane Watts
- QB Ben Wooldridge
Stay locked in to WEEI and WEEI.com for all the latest on Patriots’ roster moves, and make sure you tune in to The Greg Hill Show each and every Monday during football season for their conversation with Vrabel.