Vrabel stresses decision-making amid Diggs video

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots' Stefon Diggs was not contiguous for Wednesday's voluntary organized squad activity, 1 time aft a video of the wide receiver surfaced connected societal media successful which helium was connected a vessel and flashed an unidentified pinkish substance portion surrounded by 3 women.

Patriots manager Mike Vrabel, who addressed reporters earlier practice, was asked if the video is thing the squad needs to look into.

"It's thing we're alert of and evidently we privation to marque large decisions connected and disconnected the field," Vrabel said. "... Any conversations that I've had with Stefon volition stay betwixt him, and I, and the club."

Vrabel confirmed that helium has been successful connection with the 31-year-old Diggs, arsenic helium has been with each subordinate connected the roster.

The Patriots signed Diggs to a three-year, $69 cardinal declaration successful March. Diggs continues to rehabilitate from a torn ACL sustained Week 8 past play with the Houston Texans and was contiguous for astatine slightest 1 of the Patriots' voluntary practices past week.

"The timelines, and the prognosis, we're moving hard to get him backmost and beryllium acceptable to go. When he's here, we'll manager him and person him acceptable to go," said Vrabel, who fielded six consecutive questions connected Diggs astatine the commencement of his media availability.

The Patriots are banking connected Diggs to elevate a receiving corps that finished past successful the NFL with 1,723 receiving yards successful 2024. Furthermore, Patriots receivers finished 28th successful receptions (161), tied for 28th successful receiving touchdowns (10) and tied for past successful archetypal downs (78).

Diggs projects astatine the apical of a extent illustration that besides includes chap seasoned free-agent signing Mack Hollins, third-year slot receiver DeMario Douglas and 2025 third-round prime Kyle Williams.

The Patriots are expected to person a spirited contention for further spots betwixt nine-year seasoned Kendrick Bourne, third-year subordinate Kayshon Boutte, and 2024 draught picks Ja'Lynn Polk (second round) and Javon Baker (fourth round), among others.

Diggs' streak of six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons ended past play erstwhile helium sustained the torn ACL. Up to that point, Diggs ranked seventh successful the NFL successful catches (47) and was 2nd connected the Texans successful receiving yards (496).

The Patriots person not had a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman successful 2019.