FOXBORO — On the primary 11-on-11 rep of Patriots coaching camp 2025, quarterback Drake Maye took the snap, surveyed his choices and hit his most completed pass-catcher on a crossing route.
Welcome again, Stefon Diggs.
Lower than 9 months faraway from the ACL tear that ended his 2024 season, Diggs practiced with out limitations Wednesday, main New England’s broad receivers via particular person and group drills.
“I’m tremendous excited,” Diggs mentioned after apply. “Clearly, we obtained a great climate day. There’s quite a bit to be enthusiastic about. I’m simply pleased to be again enjoying soccer. It’s been type of an extended offseason for me — eight months out — so I used to be desperate to get again on the market, get again across the guys, and it’s been fairly enjoyable.”
Although Diggs was on the sphere throughout organized group actions and minicamp within the spring, it was unclear whether or not he could be absolutely cleared in time for camp. However when the Patriots reconvened after their summer time break, Diggs was not placed on the physically unable to perform list. Head coach Mike Vrabel, when requested Tuesday in regards to the veteran wideout’s standing, mentioned the Patriots had been “inspired by what (they) noticed” from Diggs and “don’t see any limitations proper now.”
Diggs caught each of his targets from Maye throughout Wednesday’s apply, which was non-padded and featured simply two aggressive durations.
“Everyone type of mentioned I got here again fairly quick, however it was a special journey for me,” Diggs mentioned. “I pushed it. I wished to get again as quick as I may, and I simply was tremendous critical about my rehab course of. I really like soccer, and when you actually love soccer, you’re placing that point in, getting injured is type of a part of the sport. However getting again to enjoying soccer simply makes me extraordinarily pleased.”
Diggs mentioned he had little doubt he would cross his bodily, which allowed him to earn his $12 million signing bonus. The 31-year-old signed a three-year, $63.5 million contract with the Patriots in March.
“I’d type of been doing every thing as much as that time,” he mentioned. “I’d been enjoying soccer, working routes. I really feel like I’ve been doing it my complete life, so getting again to it, simply again across the constructing, again across the guys, again across the coaches, first time seeing them shortly, so it was type of like a welcome again.”
The Patriots hope Diggs will be the true No. 1 receiver the group has lacked for years. The previous Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Payments star topped 1,000 receiving yards in every of his final six full seasons, and he was on tempo for one more 1,000-yard marketing campaign with the Houston Texans final season earlier than tearing his ACL in late October (47 catches, 496 yards, three touchdowns in eight video games).
The final New England participant to prime 1,000 receiving yards was Julian Edelman in 2019. No Patriots pass-catcher topped 700 yards final season, with DeMario Douglas main their wideouts with 621 on 66 receptions.
Diggs wouldn’t make any predictions about how he’ll fare in his first season with the franchise. For now, he mentioned he’s targeted on persevering with to be taught offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offense and cleansing up some unspecified unfavorable performs he made on Day 1 of camp.
“Proper now, at this very second, contemplating I’m coming off an harm, I’m simply tremendous excited to play soccer,” Diggs mentioned. “However incomes the respect of my teammates and my coaches, getting again out right here, being the chief I do know I’m, that’s all I need to be proper now. I’m going to take it daily. Lots of people need to throw plenty of anticipation on the market and be excited.
“You possibly can’t get too excited. It’s Day 1. I simply need to type of conquer Day 1, get in there and watch the movie. I wasn’t too pleased with some issues, so I type of need to get on the market and proper it and get again to enjoying soccer.”
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