Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs may have already used his get out of jail free card with head coach Mike Vrabel after the video of the boat party surfaced. He cannot afford to have another slip up while in New England.
The Patriots have high expectations for Diggs to be their No. 1 receiver and provide veteran leadership to a young receiving group.
When he's on the field, Diggs looks strong and fast, but it’s worth reminding that he still hasn’t been fully medically cleared from an ACL tear and that he will need to pass a physical from the Patriots, which has contract implications attached to it.
That said, there’s even some speculation from local media suggesting that Diggs could start the season on the PUP list or that he might not even make the roster.
Although Diggs signed a three-year deal worth $69 million, the Patriots structured the contract in a way that protects them if Diggs is unable to be cleared to play.
In doing so, New England reserved the right to hold the $12 million signing bonus until Diggs passes a physical. The contract can also be terminated due to the pre-existing condition clause.
Diggs has looked phenomenally strong considering he tore his ACL only nine months ago. The rehab progress videos he posts while working out with his own trainers have looked great, there’s no denying it. But will he be ready for Week 1?
In his first press conference on the field with the media during OTAs, Diggs was positive about his progress, but he did sound concerned about where he is physically overall.
“Where I am right now, I wouldn’t put a percentage on it, but I got some work to do.”
Again, Diggs looks great on the field running routes and doing drills while wearing just his uppers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s football ready and he knows what that feels like. It sounds like he knows that he still isn’t ready and is uncertain if he will be or not.
“We’ll see how it goes. Obviously I don’t make the rules. I’m grinding each and every day though. Obviously, I can’t do too much of the team stuff, but I’m eager to get out there, so when they do press the button, I’m going to be ready.”
Diggs saying that he still has work to do with his recovery is an acknowledgment that he might not be as ready as he thinks he is. This should be even more of a reason for him to stay out of trouble and get back on the field.
One last note. It’s worth mentioning that Diggs’ girlfriend, Cardi B, is hosting WWE’s SummerSlam in the beginning of August in New Jersey at MetLife Stadium. If he goes, it would be wise for Diggs not to allow another incident to happen like the one that already transpired on the boat.