Report: Stefon Diggs On Track to Play Week 1 After Patriots Contract amid Injury Rehab

The New England Patriots signed Stefon Diggs to a three-year, $69 million deal on Tuesday, and they reportedly should have him on the field by Week 1.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Diggs, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 of the 2024 season, is on track to return by the start of the 2025 season. According to Schefter, Diggs' progression in his rehab was a reason why the team "felt comfortable" giving him the deal.

Before Diggs' injury last year, the star receiver had recorded six consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards. In his last fully healthy season in 2023, he had 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns. That's the version of Diggs the Patriots hope to get in 2025.

Diggs was on pace for another 1,000-yard season in 2024, hauling in 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games despite playing in an offense with talented receivers like Nico Collins and Tank Dell.

In New England, Diggs is sure to be the WR1, which could see him return to the elite version of himself that we saw with the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills.

The Patriots were in desperate need of a receiver before signing Diggs. Last year, New England's top receiver was tight end Hunter Henry, who had just 674 yards and two touchdowns. The Pats only had one true receiver, DeMario Douglas, total more than 600 receiving yards on the year.

The addition of Diggs to the offense should help quarterback Drake Maye have a strong year. Maye, the third overall pick in 2024, had a solid start to his career with 2,276 passing yards and 15 touchdowns in 13 games, but it was clear he needed more weapons around him.

Now he has another weapon in Diggs.