Will the Patriots' New Star Stefon Diggs Be Ready for the Season? Critical Decision Before Training Camp

## Will the Key to the Patriots' Defense Be Ready for the Season? With only weeks to go before the start of the 2025 NFL season, while teams are completing preparations for training camps, a major uncertainty prevails in the New England Patriots' camp. Marcus Diggs, the star cornerback who underwent a long rehabilitation process after suffering a torn ACL last season, worries both fans and the technical staff. The most asked question in the corridors of Foxborough is this: Will the Patriots' biggest defensive weapon be able to start training with the team at the beginning of the camp, or will he be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list? This decision means much more than just the health of a player. During a period when head coach Jerod Mayo is trying to reshape the team's identity in his second season, Diggs' presence or absence has the potential to directly affect the entire strategy of the Patriots' defense and thus the team's season goals. ## The Critical Turning Point of Returning from Injury: What is the PUP List? For those unfamiliar with American football, the PUP list concept may seem a bit complex. This list is an NFL mechanism designed for players returning from serious injuries to be smoothly integrated into the team. If a player is placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp, it does not mean he has closed the season. Rather, he can attend team meetings and conditioning workouts but cannot practice. There are two types of PUP lists: Active/PUP and Reserve/PUP. A player placed on the list at the start of camp can be activated at any time during the preseason to start practicing. However, if not activated by the start of the regular season, he is moved to the Reserve/PUP list. In this case, the player must miss the first four games of the season. After the fourth week, the team has a five-week window to activate the player. If activation does not occur during this period, the player is considered to have closed the season completely. Scenarios are clear for the Patriots: If Diggs is healthy enough to take the field on the camp's first day, this is the ideal situation. However, even the slightest risk would lead the club doctors and technical staff to prefer to monitor his rehabilitation process closely by placing him on the Active/PUP list. This still keeps the possibility of him being ready for the season's first game on the table. The worst-case scenario is the possibility of Diggs' recovery progressing slower than expected, causing him to miss the early part of the season, leading to the Reserve/PUP list situation. ## Why is Marcus Diggs So Important? Acquired before the 2024 season in a trade with the Buffalo Bills, Marcus Diggs quickly became the leader of the Patriots' defense. His ability to lock down opponents' top wide receivers in one-on-one coverage granted the defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington incredible flexibility on the field. In games where Diggs was present, the Patriots' defense could experiment with more aggressive blitz schemes and use other players in different roles. The injury he suffered in the critical week 12 game against the Miami Dolphins last season deeply affected not only the player but the entire team's season. In Diggs' absence, the Patriots' defense struggled against elite offenses and could not maintain consistent performance for the rest of the season. Young cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who played alongside Diggs, was a key role in his development as well. If Diggs can make a healthy start to the season, it is thought the Patriots would have one of the NFL's most feared cornerback duos with Gonzalez. This would limit opposing quarterbacks' passing options and make the defensive line's job easier. For the Patriots, who needed an elite defense more than ever to relieve the pressure on the young offense led by quarterback Drake Maye, Diggs' health is vital. ## Possible Plans Amid Uncertainty Head coach Jerod Mayo, in his latest statements on the matter, cautiously said, "Marcus' rehabilitation process is progressing as planned. But the most important thing for us is his long-term health. We will never rush to put him on the field. We will evaluate his situation day by day and make the right decision when the training camp starts," indicating how meticulous the club is in the decision-making process. In case of Diggs' delay, eyes will turn to other players. Christian Gonzalez will now need to take on the number one cornerback responsibility. Alongside him, there will be intense competition for the jersey among experienced names such as Jonathan Jones, Marco Wilson, and Alex Austin. However, none of these players are expected to create the impact Diggs does single-handedly. Therefore, Diggs' absence may force defensive coordinator Covington to play more zone defense and adopt a more conservative game plan. It is also reported that the club's general manager, Eliot Wolf, is closely watching the transfer market until there is specific information about Diggs' condition. If Diggs' return to the field is prolonged, the Patriots would not be surprised to make a final move to add an experienced cornerback to the roster. In conclusion, the New England Patriots' campus is waiting for a critical decision to be made in the coming days. Marcus Diggs' health condition stands out as one of the most important factors determining not just the story of one player, but the entire team's fate for the 2025 season. Eyes and ears will be on that official announcement from Foxborough, which will shape the course of the season.