Stefon Diggs won’t start Patriots training camp on PUP list

Even during his rehab period at voluntary workouts, Stefon Diggs looked among the quickest wide receivers on the Patriots roster.

Diggs tore his ACL in October last year, leading to many question marks about his availability early on in New England. However, Saturday’s injury report released by the Patriots appears to be another positive sign in his recovery.

New England designated a number of players to the PUP (physically unable to perform) and NFI (non-football injury) lists on Saturday. Diggs was not among the names listed, meaning he could be full steam ahead for the first day of Patriots training camp.

Key names on those lists include Mack Hollins, Vederian Lowe, Jahlani Tavai, and Austin Hooper on the PUP, and Carlton Davis, surprisingly, turning up on the NFI.

Opinion/analysis: Not seeing WR Stefon Diggs as part of the PUP/NFI lists suggests his recovery from a torn ACL is progressing … as he appears to be on track to be on the field for Day 1 of training camp.

https://t.co/nUaxX0LRq2

Of course, Diggs’s absence from the PUP list isn’t an indicator that he’ll be ready to play — or start — Week 1 this season. But it is a positive step towards that possibility, and a welcome one considering many players are unable to start the season active after an ACL tear in the middle of the previous year.

ACL tears can take anywhere from 9-12 months to fully recover from, and Diggs is just over eight months into his recovery. However, he seemed to be cutting at or near full speed last month during voluntary workouts, so it’s not all that surprising that he appears to be ahead of schedule.

For added perspective, San Francisco wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was placed on the PUP ahead of 49ers training camp, and his personal recovery is tracking for a mid-season return,

according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Granted, Aiyuk’s knee injury was more severe, as he also tore his MCL.

Still, New England should be happy to see Diggs will take part in training camp and possibly be ready to go for the team’s season opener on Sept. 7.

Diggs will play an important part in revamping the Patriots’ offense, which saw rookie Drake Maye often hung out to dry by a lack of surrounding talent in 2024.

Diggs has amassed over 10,000 career receiving yards, including six straight 1,000-yard seasons prior to 2024, so he will certainly provide a major lift to the Patriots’ wide receiver room that has been a weak point the last few seasons.