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NFL insider: Stefon Diggs could be available to play for Patriots in Week 1
"I think the bigger question becomes whether or not you can expect 100-percent of [Stefon] Diggs this year, because that first year can be tricky sometimes, especially for an older player."
The injury return timetable of Stefon Diggs: The Patriots sought a top-level wide receiver in the offseason, and technically managed to get one with the free agent signing of Stefon Diggs.
Diggs, 31, registered 100 or more receptions in five of six seasons between 2018 and 2023. Yet he tore his right ACL in Oct. of 2024 while playing for the Texans against the Colts. The injury (and subsequent surgery) requires a lengthy recovery process. So when the Patriots signed Diggs in the offseason, the optimism over landing such an accomplished wideout was tempered by the knowledge that he might not be on the field right away (and could require time beyond that to reattain his former level).
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Yet one NFL analyst recently explained his optimistic view of Diggs’ possible return timeline. Speaking on NBC Sports Boston on Wednesday, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer outlined what he thinks will happen in the upcoming season.
“I think [Diggs] probably starts camp on PUP [the physically unable to perform list], and I think he probably comes off at some point between now and end of August.
“I do think that he’s trending right now to being able to play in Week 1,” Breer added, “which is — if you look at it — it’s not that crazy a recovery timetable. He was injured right around Halloween, the end of August would be 10 months.”
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Yet as Breer pointed out, it could be less a story of Diggs returning to the field, and more a case of how effective he can be (and how quickly).
“I think the bigger question becomes whether or not you can expect 100-percent of [Stefon] Diggs this year, because that first year can be tricky sometimes, especially for an older player,” Breer noted. “But just as far as when he’s going to be actually cleared to play football full speed in 11-on-11, I think at some point in August it happens, and that timetable isn’t that crazy considering the juncture of last year when he was hurt.”
The Patriots begin training camp next week, with the first official practice set for Wednesday, July 23.
Trivia: Stefon Diggs began his career with the Vikings. Who leads Minnesota in all-time receiving yards?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: His NFL career started with the Eagles.
Scores and schedules:
The Revolution lost to the Red Bulls 5-3 on Wednesday, a seventh straight game without a win. New England will face Orlando City at Gillette Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The Red Sox return to action following the All-Star break starting on Friday at Wrigley Field against the Cubs at 2:20 p.m.
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- Revolution melt in second half as winless streak stretches to seven with loss at Red Bulls
- NHL schedule release: Bruins to open season Oct. 8 against Capitals, home opener vs. Blackhawks
- Jay Pandolfo signs multiyear extension to remain men’s hockey coach at Boston University
- Last weekend felt like October baseball, and Red Sox ownership needs to respond accordingly
- Bill Belichick responded to Robert Kraft’s ‘big risk’ comments, said he was ‘warned’ about Patriots
- MLB commissioner: Red Sox have ‘expressed interest’ in All-Star Game returning to Fenway Park
- ESPN ranked this Patriots roster as the No. 1 NFL team of past 25 years
A Real Madrid perspective: Former Real Madrid head coach Chus Mateo spoke about Celtics’ first-round pick Hugo Gonzalez, and what he might bring to the NBA.
On this day: In 1930, the United States men’s soccer team defeated Paraguay 3-0 in its second ever World Cup game. The 1930 tournament, the inaugural edition, was held in Uruguay. And despite the newspaper account mentioning only Billy Gonsalves, it was Fall River native Bert Patenaude who totaled the first hat-trick in World Cup history.
Patenaude, who is in the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame, was not credited with the hat-trick for 76 years due to early-era FIFA record keeping (and its imperfections).
The U.S. run to third place remains the men’s team’s best ever finish at the illustrious tournament.
Daily highlight: Though it came at the Revolution’s expense, Red Bulls captain Emil Forsberg scored an admittedly highlight-worthy goal in the comeback win over New England on Wednesday.
Trivia answer: Cris Carter
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