Listen to Fox News Articles: Mike Vrabel Addresses Stefon Diggs’ Availability for Season Opener
Mike Vrabel, the head coach of the New England Patriots and a former linebacker who played eight seasons with the team, is on a mission to restore the franchise’s former glory. Recently, during a press conference, Vrabel responded to a reporter’s question regarding star receiver Stefon Diggs’ readiness for the upcoming season opener, sparking an interesting exchange.
"Did you really believe that, Phil?" Vrabel challenged the reporter. "You’re a smart guy; I don’t know where you went to school, but it wasn’t Ohio State. Do you really think that, or are you just trying to bait me?"
Diggs, who played eight games for the Houston Texans last season before suffering a torn ACL in October, has recently received medical clearance to return to practice. However, he was notably absent from the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings and also missed the prior week’s opener due to a "coach’s decision."
Vrabel indicated that the team is taking a cautious approach regarding Diggs’ participation in Week 1. "I don’t know the context of what he said. He’s been here almost every day, and I’m excited about where he’s at. We’ll see come Week 1," he stated.
When asked about his status for the season opener on September 7, Diggs remained noncommittal. "We’ll see. Everybody’s excited, man. I’m just taking it day by day. I feel great," he shared during an appearance on the "Scoop City" podcast.
Diggs also hinted that the coaching staff might not be overly optimistic about his availability for the game against the Las Vegas Raiders. "I mean, I’m always pushing the needle," he said. "We’ll see about Week 1. I don’t know how I feel about it. The coaches aren’t too excited, and I’m not too excited. I’m just trying to take it day by day."
In March, Diggs signed a three-year contract with the Patriots, and prior to his injury-shortened season with the Texans, he consistently recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in six consecutive seasons.
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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
