Mike Reiss
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — On Sunday night, Stefon Diggs entered the New England Patriots auditorium and stepped as much as the rostrum with an lively hop.
“Everybody seems to be so snug,” he mentioned, greeting the media with a smile.
The Patriots had simply cruised to a 42-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers, during which the large receiver, too, seemed snug. For the primary time in 22 video games, he crossed the 100-receiving yard threshold. He known as it a “flip the nook” day.
“I am simply tremendous excited and wish to hold constructing,” Diggs mentioned.
When the Patriots signed the four-time Professional Bowler to a three-year, $69 million contract in March, there have been many uncertainties.
It was unknown if Diggs, who sustained a torn proper ACL final October, could be prepared for the beginning of the 2025 common season. If he was, there was no assure he might as soon as once more ship as a No. 1 receiver in his eleventh NFL season. Or how he would match into the brand new Patriots regime led by coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
These questions percolated within the spring when Diggs was out and in of the crew's voluntary exercise program which had an in any other case excessive attendance fee. He made headlines by showing in a video on a ship that went viral, forcing Vrabel to deal with it.
Behind the scenes, although, Diggs was working arduous to rehab his ACL damage in Florida and to get again on the sphere as shortly as potential. He was prepared by coaching camp, together with his private athletic coach calling it a “traditionally quick” restoration.
Now 4 weeks into the 2025 season, Diggs, 31, is rising as a super match with the Patriots.
“Placing in that point, placing in that grind all through camp, I really feel like you do not know what it'll be like till the season is right here. That is when the pedal hits the steel and also you get your confidence from rising throughout the system and getting used to a system and a quarterback — and all these items are model new to me,” Diggs mentioned Sunday.
“My focus has at all times been grinding and I'll determine it out. I am in all probability going to work just a little tougher now, as a result of when issues are going proper, you'll be able to't loosen up and get complacent.”
Diggs now has momentum heading right into a sport he mentioned he has been trying ahead to, returning to face his former crew, the Buffalo Payments, on Sunday at Highmark Stadium (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC) — a contest marking the primary time Diggs will play in Western New York, the place he was as soon as quarterback Josh Allen's go-to goal, for the reason that Payments traded him to the Houston Texans in April 2024.
The 2015 fifth-round choose ranks sixth in receiving yards (10,704) and touchdowns (70) since getting into the NFL a decade in the past.
Whereas his on-field performances proceed to evolve with the Patriots, Diggs has additionally emerged as a pacesetter within the locker room. Since becoming a member of the crew, Diggs has impressed teammates with pregame speeches. He has additionally developed a rapport with second-year quarterback Drake Maye, much like what he did with Allen (then in his third season) when the Payments acquired him from the Minnesota Vikings in 2020.
“[Diggs is] an incredible teammate. I believe that is the most important factor,” Maye mentioned. “He is fireplace on sport day. You see him even in follow, he desires to carry it. He thinks plenty of the fellows round him. He desires to be an incredible teammate, he desires to carry the power, and he desires the ball.”
WHEN DIGGS SPRINTED onto the sphere earlier than kickoff of the 2025 season opener, he made his strategy to the again left pylon of the far finish zone, dropping to his knee to mirror. There was loads going by way of his thoughts earlier than his first sport again after the damage.
“I took just a little second to be grateful and sort of bask within the ambiance of the place I used to be, again doing what I really like,” he defined.
Scene-setter: Stefon Diggs takes a second of reflection on the again pylon upon taking the sphere.
Lengthy highway again from damage.
Diggs then bought up and pumped his arm in pleasure. pic.twitter.com/XPyi2Ldbea
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 7, 2025
His torn ACL, his first main damage within the NFL, had challenged him in methods he by no means had been earlier than. He acknowledged it was one of many hardest issues he has ever skilled.
“I used to be in, like, an actual, actual darkish area for a short time. I needed to pull myself out of it. I nonetheless sort of undergo it right here and there,” he mentioned. “Most likely simply because the place I am at in my profession proper now, it was tough for me. I went by way of loads within the offseason.”
Diggs credit his rehab with Dr. Sharif Tabbah, of Florida-based Alkemē Sports activities Rx, for getting him again on the sphere shortly. The everyday timeframe for receivers recovering from a torn ACL is 9-12 months, based on Tabbah. Diggs handed his bodily with the Patriots July 19, simply 8½ months after tearing his ACL, which Vrabel famous was a credit score to how arduous Diggs labored.
Tabbah, who trains NFL receivers Jerry Jeudy (Cleveland Browns), CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys) and Rashee Rice (Kansas Metropolis Chiefs), amongst others, recalled seeing a social media put up from Diggs instantly after surgical procedure during which he was in a hospital mattress together with his head in his arms.
“Anybody might inform from the put up he was going by way of it mentally, as many athletes do, particularly after they have not had a serious damage of their careers,” Tabbah mentioned. “I sort of teased him and mentioned, ‘Man, you seem like your life is over in these photographs. Don't be concerned. We will bounce again. My objective for you is to not get again to 100%. It is to get you to 110%. I need you leaving right here higher than earlier than the damage.'”
There was commonplace early progress within the rehab work, with Diggs' dedication mirrored in bringing Tabbah to New York with him when plans known as for him to be away from Florida. Then Tabbah mentioned Diggs' restoration took off about 4 months in, when bodily testing numbers indicated he might start to work on reducing.
“As we began doing that, and he was doing so properly so shortly, that is when it began to get actually spectacular,” Tabbah mentioned. “We have been doing top-of-the-route stuff at 4 and half, 5 months, which is loopy. It was clear and easy.”
Among the many strategies Tabbah built-in into Diggs' rehab included conventional guide remedy, particular electrical stimulation machines to assist recruit extra muscle fibers to get his power again quicker, an anti-gravity treadmill to progress to operating and pool work for leaping, reducing and operating. That every one led as much as Diggs returning to the sphere and specializing in football-type actions and footwork.
Alongside the way in which, Diggs additionally leaned on teammates and others round him, reminiscent of his girlfriend Cardi B, who lately introduced they're anticipating a toddler.
“Coming off damage is not simple, however while you're round the appropriate guys it makes it simpler,” he mentioned to reporters earlier this season.
“My life could possibly be loads worse,” Diggs added. “I am blessed. I've loads to stay up for every day. I've some lovely youngsters. Bought a gorgeous assist system. My life ain't that onerous. There are lots of people on this planet who undergo means worse issues every day. Simply roll with the punches, know what I am saying?”
The Patriots have been cautious with Diggs within the preseason, holding him out of video games, and typically limiting his follow reps. So taking hits was on Diggs' thoughts getting into the 2025 season. After a 20-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1, Diggs mentioned he sought out contact to assist him take the subsequent step in his return.
After the crew's Week 2 win over the Dolphins in South Florida, during which Tabbah attended as Diggs' visitor, the 2 linked to judge how the knee responded to elevated demand and the load of the season. Tabbah was as soon as once more inspired by what he noticed and heard from Diggs.
They then gave the knee guide remedy and restoration work, adopted by activation and corrective workout routines, in addition to stability drills.
“It was a tuneup, a check-in on how all the things seemed, and he seemed nice. I used to be happy to see how properly he continues to carry up regardless of such a traditionally quick return,” Tabbah mentioned. “He had maintained all the things we labored on and was very assured. He informed me he hasn't considered his knee in any means on the sphere.”
Diggs echoed these ideas to reporters quickly after.
“I really feel nice,” he mentioned within the Patriots' locker room. “I am attempting to remain feeling nice. Now it is turning a key and being on the market persistently, it is getting again to the texture of the sport.”
AGAINST THE PITTSBURGH Steelers in Week 3, Diggs made a play that Vrabel cherished.
Working a shallow route throughout the center, Diggs tied up two defenders, which allowed operating again Rhamondre Stevenson to catch a brief cross and run 23 yards. Vrabel identified Diggs had an identical play the week earlier than that wasn't executed, so it confirmed his progress and likewise unselfishness.
For Diggs, that is what he has persistently referred to this season as “consuming what's on my plate.”
“No matter they offer you, take it, deal with it with grace, and proceed to push teammates,” he defined. “That is the place I'm at this level [in my career].
“I am right here for no matter they want. I have been doing this for a very long time, I am a veteran, I am wholesome. Shout out to God. I am not going to chew off greater than I can chew, or I am not going to ask [for] something. I am simply going to deal with what's in entrance of me.”
By means of 4 video games, Diggs has been on the sphere for 55.5% of the offensive snaps, the third most amongst receivers behind Kayshon Boutte (75.2%) and Mack Hollins (57.9%). He ranks first on the crew in receptions (19) and receiving yards (213) and is in search of his first landing.
Vrabel left open the likelihood that Diggs' enjoying time will increase, noting that a few of it's tied to what packages have been utilized most (e.g. extra two tight ends) and “looking for a job for every [receiver].”
In the meantime, Diggs insists his sole focus is on maximizing no matter he does get.
“Comparability is the thief of pleasure. I can not actually take into consideration what is going on on round me. I will be cheering for my guys — at all times clap for everyone round me, I just about at all times have been that means,” he mentioned. “Even for those who do need extra, no matter is in your plate, it's a must to eat it. However I by no means wish to fall into the lure of specializing in one thing else and never consuming the meals in entrance of me. I wish to be sure I scrape the plate. Depart no crumbs.”
Such an strategy has positioned Diggs as a commanding presence throughout the crew, although he is not one of many crew's six captains.
“One of many cool issues is watching his maturity as a pacesetter and listening to him sort of be a champion of the trigger for coach Vrabel, coach McDaniels and myself,” mentioned large receivers coach Todd Downing, who was on the Vikings' teaching employees in 2018 when Diggs was in his fourth NFL season. “If there's something that we emphasize, he'll have our backs with the younger guys. Or if he sees any individual on the sphere not doing it, he'll maintain them accountable.
“He is at all times had a relentless work ethic. He is been working diligently mentally to have the ability to deal with all the things we throw at him.”
McDaniels, whose brother Ben serves because the Texans large receivers coach and raved about Diggs final yr, famous Diggs' intelligence in adapting to the Patriots' system.
“He has plenty of sport expertise and savvy. It would not take lengthy to have a dialog with him about one thing you wish to do, or when you have an thought or imaginative and prescient of the way you need it to play out, and Stef can go on the market and he is following you while you're talking to him or we're watching movie,” Josh McDaniels mentioned.
“[He's] very aggressive, and in the appropriate means. His management is intense, but it surely's the appropriate sort of depth as a result of he desires to win. Unselfish. He is been an excellent teammate. Love working with him. Brings an pleasure to it every single day.”
A win Sunday in opposition to one in all Diggs' former groups could be shocking, because the Patriots enter as 7.5-point underdogs based on ESPN BET. Nonetheless, Payments followers may be shocked at what they see from Diggs and listen to from him within the days main as much as the sport.
“It may be a loopy ambiance. Clearly, I spent plenty of years there. They've the most effective fan bases within the sport, if not the very best fan base. So, shout out to them,” Diggs mentioned. “Within the division, they are saying it is one sport, but it surely rattling close to counts as two. I am excited for the problem.”
