FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots’ Stefon Diggs was not current for Wednesday’s voluntary organized workforce exercise, at some point after a video of the vast receiver surfaced on social media by which he was on a ship and flashed an unidentified pink substance whereas surrounded by three girls.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, who addressed reporters earlier than observe, was requested if the video is one thing the workforce must look into.
“It is one thing we’re conscious of and clearly we wish to make nice selections on and off the sphere,” Vrabel mentioned. “… Any conversations that I’ve had with Stefon will stay between him and I and the membership.”
Vrabel confirmed that he has been in communication with Diggs as he has been with each participant on the roster.
The NFL, through a spokesperson, declined remark Wednesday.
The Patriots signed Diggs, 31, to a three-year, $69 million contract in March. Diggs continues to rehabilitate from a torn ACL sustained in Week 8 final season with the Houston Texans and was current for a minimum of one of many Patriots’ voluntary practices final week.
“The timelines, and the prognosis, we’re working exhausting to get him again and be able to go. When he is right here, we’ll coach him and have him able to go,” mentioned Vrabel, who fielded six straight questions on Diggs in the beginning of his media availability.
The Patriots are banking on Diggs to raise a receiving corps that completed final within the NFL with 1,723 receiving yards in 2024. Moreover, Patriots receivers completed twenty eighth in receptions (161), tied for twenty eighth in receiving touchdowns (10) and tied for final in first downs (78).
Diggs initiatives on the prime of a depth chart that additionally consists of fellow veteran free agent signing Mack Hollins, third-year slot receiver DeMario Douglas and 2025 third-round choose Kyle Williams.
The Patriots are anticipated to have a spirited competitors for added spots amongst nine-year veteran Kendrick Bourne, third-year participant Kayshon Boutte, 2024 draft picks Ja’Lynn Polk (second spherical) and Javon Baker (fourth spherical), and others.
Diggs’ streak of six straight 1,000-yard seasons ended final season when he sustained the ACL harm. As much as that time, Diggs ranked seventh within the NFL in catches (47) and was second on the Texans in receiving yards (496).
The Patriots haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019.
