Mike Vrabel shrugs off concept that Stefon Diggs will not play Week 1

Patriots

“Do you actually imagine that … or are you simply attempting to bait me into one thing?”

Stefon Diggs precipitated a little bit of a stir Wednesday when he informed The Athletic’s Dianna Russini that he wasn’t positive if he’d be prepared for Week 1 of the NFL season.

On Thursday, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel rapidly shut down that concept, all however confirming that — barring unforseen setbacks — Diggs will certainly be a Week 1 starter after tearing his ACL final season.

Patriots beat author Phil Perry requested Vrabel about Diggs’s feedback, and the response was jeering.

“Did you actually imagine that, Phil? I imply, you’re a sensible man,” Vrabel stated. “I don’t know the place you went to highschool — it wasn’t Ohio State. However like, do you actually imagine that? Do you actually imagine that, Phil, or are you simply attempting to bait me into one thing?”

Vrabel elaborated, and though he was cautious to not say for sure that Diggs might be good to go, he actually expects it.

“I don’t know the context during which he stated it, however you’d have to assist me. I imply, he’s been out right here nearly each day,” Vrabel stated. “I’m excited of the place he’s at and we’ll see when Week 1 comes, however he’s going to observe at present. Hopefully he helps us within the pink zone, however we are able to’t predict the long run about Week 1. I simply know he’s going to be on the market at present, and he works onerous and he cares, that are two essential issues.”

Since Diggs arrived in Foxborough for offseason exercises, it appeared from an out of doors perspective that he was properly forward of schedule on his rehab. His cuts had been crisp sufficient throughout OTAs for him to be one of many quickest broad receivers on the Patriots regardless of his damage.

On high of that, Diggs by no means carried an damage designation into coaching camp. Whereas a few of his friends discovered their technique to the PUP and NFI lists, Diggs didn’t miss any time. He didn’t play within the Patriots first preseason sport — doubtless both a precautionary transfer or because of his veteran standing, or each — however he hasn’t missed a coaching camp observe and has been current throughout reside joint practices.

So though Diggs could have been coy about his standing as of Wednesday, all indicators proceed to level to the previous Professional Bowl receiver making his approach on the sphere for New England’s season opener on Sept. 7.

His presence might be a welcome addition to New England’s offense, which hasn’t had a Professional Bowl broad receiver (aside from core particular teamer Matthew Slater) since Wes Welker’s final bid in 2012.