Patriots WR Stefon Diggs to start season on PUP?

As Diggs continues to work his way back from a torn ACL, Chad Graff of The Athletic writes that the wideout will likely open camp by “working on the side.” Graff adds that Diggs has been expected to start the regular season on the physically unable to perform list, but the acquisition’s spring performance has sparked optimism that he could be ready to go for Week 1.

Despite a knee injury prematurely ending Diggs’ lone season with the Texans, the former All-Pro receiver still garnered a three-year, $63.5MM deal from the Patriots in free agency. While the 2025 campaign will represent Diggs’ age-32 season, the Patriots are expecting the addition to elevate both their receivers room and second-year QB Drake Maye.

As Graff writes, Diggs impressed during minicamp. The receiver was lauded for mentoring the team’s younger wideouts, and his performance hinted that he could be ahead of schedule in his rehab. A video from May showed the wideout flashing an “unidentified pink substance” while partying on a boat, leading to speculation that the Patriots could look to bail early from the partnership. Instead, the Patriots decided to hang on to their free agent signing.

A stint on the PUP list would mean Diggs is forced to miss at least the first four games of the upcoming season. That would buy the Patriots some time as they navigate their relatively deep receivers corps. Diggs, Mack Hollins, and rookie third-round pick Kyle Williams have been described as the only definitively safe players on the depth chart, although holdover DeMario Douglas is also expected to secure a roster spot.

As a result, the likes of Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, 2024 second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk, and 2024 fourth-round pick Javon Baker would be fighting for at most two roster spots. A Diggs absence would allow the Patriots to temporarily retain another WR, although the team would surely prefer their new WR1 is ready for the start of the regular season.