Mike Vrabel Weighs In On Stefon Diggs' Clearance For Patriots Camp
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The New England Patriots placed seven players between the physically unable to perform and non-football injury lists ahead of training camp.

But Stefon Diggs went without a designation as rookies, quarterbacks and rehabbing members of the active roster reported back to Gillette Stadium last weekend. And not due to a clerical error.

The veteran wide receiver, who sustained a torn right ACL last October, has been cleared to practice in full, as The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported. Head coach Mike Vrabel weighed in on his progression on the eve of training camp’s first session.

“Well, I know that everybody heals differently, and especially from that type of injury,” Vrabel said of Diggs during his Tuesday press conference. “But I would say that I think it’s just a testament to how hard he worked. You know, Marcus Epps also went through that surgery and worked extremely hard and he’s been out there the last couple days with us, as well. So, appreciate their efforts to get back out there and get ready and then we’ll continue to monitor as we work through training camp.”

Diggs, 31, stands eight months removed from surgery. The four-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro and 2020 NFL receiving leader agreed to terms with the Patriots in March. His three-year, $63.5 million contract features $16.6 million fully guaranteed and $22.6 million guaranteed for injury. A cap hit of $8.7 million is ahead for 2025 before that number climbs to $26.5 million in 2026 and 2027, per OverTheCap.com.

But also ahead is the chance to be in the Week 1 starting lineup for sophomore quarterback Drake Maye. That chance will draw closer to reality as individual drills become team drills and padded workouts become preseason games.

“When he practiced it, when he took the rep, it was full-go,” Vrabel said. “Everybody every day is going to have a different plan. There will be some players that aren’t out there for individual. There will be players that are just out there for team. There will be players that are just taking some specific reps. My job is to manage that each and every day, but to ensure the football team that everybody is working.”

Since landing out of the University of Maryland in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft, Diggs’ career has spanned 144 games, 136 starts, 857 catches, 10,491 yards and 70 touchdowns. The former Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans target was on pace for his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard campaign until going down without contact last fall versus the Indianapolis Colts.

“I don’t see any limitations right now,” added Vrabel. “Is he going to take every single rep of every single period? No, and I don’t think any player will. But I think we’re off to a good start and encouraged by what we’ve seen the last couple days.”

The Patriots placed cornerback Carlton Davis, safety Josh Minkins and wide receiver Jeremiah Webb on the non-football injury list last Saturday. The organization also placed wideout Mack Hollins, tight end Austin Hooper, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe and linebacker Jahlani Tavai on physically unable to perform. All seven continue to count on the 91-man roster and are eligible to take the field at any point during training camp.

But Diggs’ physical has been passed in advance of Wednesday’s 10:15 a.m. ET practice.

“Yeah, you can’t practice if you don’t pass your physical,” Vrabel reiterated. “That’s what these lists are for – I apologize. That’s some of the housekeeping that you go through when you’re not fully cleared to start camp. That’s when you introduce some of these PUP and NFI.”

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