With the first half of training camp over, Diggs has fully established himself as a leader in New England’s receiver room. In the meantime, he put himself on that right path as well — both physically in regards to his recovery from major knee injury, and mentally as far as the acclimatization to Josh McDaniels’ offense is concerned.

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs has "exceeded expectations" as he continues to work his way back from a torn ACL, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

With Stefon Diggs just 10 months removed from his ACL injury, it was not really a surprise the 31-year-old receiver didn't play for the Patriots in the team's preseason opener Friday night. But an extremely cryptic answer from head coach Mike Vrabel suggests Diggs' absence against the Washington Commanders was not only a health-related decision.