Stefon Diggs back on the field for Patriots OTAs after viral boat video
NFL teams continue their organized team activities (OTAs) this week as voluntary workouts continue league-wide. Players have pads on and veteran players are getting their first taste of action ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
Last week, the New England Patriots made headlines because free agent signee Stefon Diggs was not in attendance. This came shortly after a video of Diggs went viral on social media on a boat with girlfriend Cardi B.
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On June 2, Diggs was back in action for the Patriots, telling media members "nice to see you all" while jogging onto the practice field.
Vrabel answered questions during the first week of OTAs about Diggs' absence.
"This is a voluntary part of our offseason program," he said. "Every player that's not here, which there aren't many, have been in communication with me and their position coaches."
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Vrabel iterated that players who aren't attending OTAs aren't completely on their own.
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"Every player that's not here, which there aren't many, have been in communication with me and their position coaches," he said.
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was asked if he was concerned about Diggs' absence ahead of the wide receiver's first time at OTAs.
"Again, it's a voluntary part of the year," he said. "We know that. I don't know if we've ever had perfect attendance at these things in general... he's here today and we're excited to have an opportunity to work with the guys that are out here and available to us. I know he's staying up on the information, the material.
I'm not concerned about [Diggs] in that regard."
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Diggs' 2024 season was cut short by a torn ACL suffered in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts. He had surgery shortly after and was ahead of schedule in March in his recovery and was expected to be a full-go for the 2025 NFL season.
His participation in OTAs is right in line with that timetable.
Patriots WR depth chart
New England has a dozen wide receivers on the depth chart entering OTAs. Here's how the order looks:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stefon Diggs back for Patriots OTAs after viral video
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