The high-prized free agency signing was not present at practice on Wednesday.
Stefon Diggs was not present for the New England Patriots’ second open organized team activity on Wednesday. The veteran wide receiver was still the talk of the the town one day after a video of him went viral.
In the short clip, Diggs is seen on a boat talking to three women before presenting an unidentified pink substance. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said on Wednesday that the team would be aware of the video and its content.
“It’s something that we’re aware of, and obviously we want to make great decisions on and off the field,” the Patriots’ first-year head coach explained. “The message will be the same for all our players, that we’re trying to make great decisions. Any conversations that I’ve had with Stefon will remain between him, I and the club.”
Vrabel was asked six straight questions about Diggs to open his 11-minute media availability, and said that he had been in contact with the wideout.
“I talk to our players every single day, the ones that are here and the ones that aren’t,” he said.
Diggs, who is recovering from a torn ACL, did not partake in the Patriots’ first two OTAs last week. Photos shared by the team showed him present for the third of those voluntary sessions last Thursday, but he left town over Memorial Day weekend and has been a non-participant so far this week.
The Patriots originally signed the four-time Pro Bowler to a three-year, $63.5 million contract in March.
Diggs, who started his career with the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills, spent the 2024 season with the Houston Texans. He appeared in eight games, touching the ball 50 times for 504 yards and four total touchdowns before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in a game against the Indianapolis Colts in October.
The 31-year-old is reportedly on track for a Week 1 return, and projects as a prominent member of the Patriots’ wide receiver rotation. Besides him, they also have fellow offseason acquisitions Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams as well as returning veterans DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker as the top wideouts on the roster.
“We’re working hard to get him back and to be ready to go,” said Vrabel on Wednesday. “When he’s here, we’ll coach him and we’ll have him ready to go.”