Major Patriots Addition Could Start Season On PUP List

The New England Patriots could be without their biggest offseason addition to start the 2025 season.

Stefon Diggs might not be ready for the season opener, and that is a problem for a Patriots team still struggling to find reliable targets for second-year quarterback Drake Maye.

Diggs “will likely open camp by working on the side” as he continues to recover from a torn ACL, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. Graff also notes Diggs is expected to begin the regular season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, a designation that would sideline him for at least the first four games.

That potential absence only deepens concerns about a receiver room that ranked near the bottom of the league in 2024. Tight end Hunter Henry led the Patriots in receiving yards last season. Demario Douglas was the most productive wideout, while Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte and rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker struggled to make an impact.

Diggs, who signed to a three-year, $63.5 million contract this spring despite his injury and age, will turn 32 in November.

While questions about his explosiveness remain, minicamp performances hinted at a quicker-than-expected recovery. He was praised for his precise routes and steady presence around younger teammates and reportedly looked further along than expected in non-contact drills.

Still, concerns remain.

“It always seemed likeliest” that Diggs would start the season with a PUP roster designation, Graff wrote, casting serious doubt on his Week 1 availability.

If Diggs does miss time, it could open a short-term roster spot for another receiver, but the Patriots’ preference is clear: get their new No. 1 on the field as soon as possible.

The chance of that happening by the regular season opener seems unlikely for now.