Pats say WR Stefon Diggs (ACL) is ‘ahead of schedule’

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is “ahead of schedule” in his return from a torn ACL, executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said Monday.
Diggs began training camp last month with no restrictions after receiving medical clearance, but he has yet to appear in a preseason game.
“Stefon has done everything we’ve asked,” Wolf said. “He’s been attentive in meetings. He’s been good on the field. He had two really good practices in Minnesota. He’s ahead of schedule, injury-wise.”
Diggs has been cleared for contact, but Wolf did not say whether the four-time Pro Bowl selection will be active for Thursday’s preseason finale against the host New York Giants.
Diggs told reporters last week “we’ll see” when asked about his availability for the Sept. 7 season opener against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders.
Diggs signed a three-year, $63.5 million contract with the Patriots in March.
Playing for the Houston Texans last season, he caught 47 passes in eight games before sustaining the season-ending knee injury on Oct. 27 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Diggs, 31, has 857 career catches for 10,491 yards and 70 touchdowns in 144 regular-season games (136 starts) with the Minnesota Vikings (2015-19), Buffalo Bills (2020-23) and Texans. He also owns 69 receptions for 909 yards and four touchdowns in 14 postseason games.