Diggs was listed as questionable, though he was able to log in practices late in the week. Hence, the feeling was he could be involved. In fact, the Commanders saw this happen with Terry McLaurin, their other star wideout. And Diggs is no exception.

McLaurin missed a game due to a hamstring injury, but was able to come back a week after that. The Commanders were hoping they could be able to put both of their wideouts on the field alongside star quarterback Jayden Daniels. According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Diggs is active to face the Niners on the road.

At full health, the Commanders offense could be unlocked

The whole idea of giving a young quarterback like Daniels a duo of veteran-yet-excellent wideouts is to make life easier for him. McLaurin is an outside-the-numbers, deep threat despite his age. He is very good still, though his injury history has grown quite a lot in recent years.

Diggs is much more of a intermediate-level threat, with prolific routes, and safe hands. Hence, they should provide Daniels with huge upside in any part of the field. Daniels has a very good arm, so when the three are on the field, this should be a very competent offense in the NFL.

Are 49ers a good passing defense?

Diggs and McLaurin could prove to be a tought test. However, the 49ers are excellent. They are the seventh-best passing defense in the NFL right now, and the fourth-best scoring defense.

Hence, it will be a massive test for the Commanders to move the chains against the San Francisco unit. After all, the Commanders have a very deficient running game and their stating RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt is not playing and has been placed on IR, so their best chance is punishing San Francisco by air, even if that’s very tough.

Key takeaways

• Stefon Diggs is active for Washington’s Week 6 game against San Francisco.
• Washington’s Terry McLaurin returned from a hamstring injury after missing one game.
• Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is not playing for Washington against San Francisco.

Diggs was forced to miss Week 5 against the New York Giants after failing to practice at all that week. Diggs didn’t practice on Thursday either. However, stepping back onto the field for Friday’s session signals that the veteran playmaker is progressing in the right direction.

The timing of his potential return could not be better for the Commanders, who sit at 1-3-1 and face a high-stakes clash against the San Francisco 49ers on primetime. With one practice remaining before the game, Washington is expected to provide an official update on his status by Saturday.

Impact on the Washington Offense

Having Diggs back in the lineup would provide a massive boost to Washington’s passing attack. Throughout the season, the veteran wideout has recorded 18 receptions for 170 yards and three touchdowns. His ability to stretch defenses and convert in the red zone makes him an essential piece for the Commanders.

Without Diggs in Week 5, the team had to rely heavily on Terry McLaurin and tight end Chig Okonkwo to have the load in the passing game. Reinserting Diggs into the mix restores depth to the receiving corps and alleviates pressure on the rest of the unit, hopefully creating cleaner looks against a tough San Francisco defense.

Diggs and McLaurin are a capable but veteran duo

When both are healthy, Stefon Diggs and Terry McLaurin form one of the most experienced receiving tandems in the NFL. Diggs brings route-running precision and red-zone production. Meanwhile, McLaurin brings deep-threat ability and leadership to the Commanders offense.

However, the primary concern for this veteran tandem remains durability, as soft-tissue injuries have plagued both receivers in recent weeks. With McLaurin previously missing time due to a hamstring issue and Diggs currently working his way back from the same issue, managing their physical workload is crucial for the Commanders.

Key takeaways

• Stefon Diggs returned to practice Friday after dealing with a lingering hamstring injury.
• Washington sits at 1-3-1 heading into Monday Night Football against San Francisco.
• Stefon Diggs has recorded 18 receptions, 170 yards, and three touchdowns this season.

Diggs scored a big touchdown with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter to cut the Eagles’ lead to 17-15. After completing the 12-yard pass from Jayden Daniels, Diggs hugged the goalpost to celebrate before landing on his back.

After the game, Diggs acknowledged his lapse in judgment. “I take full accountability,” Diggs said, as quoted by The Washington Post’s Tashan Reed. The NFL disallowed hugging, jumping on, and dunking over the goalpost in 2014.

What Diggs’ penalty cost the matchup

The 32-year-old wide receiver was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, resulting in a 15-yard penalty for the Commanders. The infraction proved costly, as Washington was forced to kick an extra point instead of attempting a two-point conversion.

According to a report by ESPN’s John Keim, head coach Dan Quinn said the team would have gone for two if Diggs hadn’t committed the foul. For his part, the four-time Pro Bowl selection declared that he “forgot” the rule.

Quinn’s change of plans

Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that he planned to go for two after the touchdown. “Yeah, we were going to go for two,” Quinn said during his press conference.

When asked what he said to Diggs about the penalty, Quinn responded: “I did have a conversation with him about that. He’s a real competitor. He knows better in that space, and he knows that. So we did talk about that in that spot. I love his fight. I love what he stands for, but as the competitor, he knows better in that spot.”

Diggs’ mistake did not cost Washington the game. The Commanders had another chance later after Daniels tossed his second touchdown pass of the quarter, but failed on the two-point attempt.

Behind them on the depth chart are Jaylin Lane, Treylon Burks, and Antonio Williams. As the third group of options, the Commanders have Van Jefferson, Dyami Brown, and finally Jacoby Jones.

Dan Quinn has done an excellent job surrounding Daniels with talent in his third year as an NFL player. The Commanders want to establish themselves as legitimate contenders in the NFC East, who will have these wide receivers at their disposal.

Diggs’ great 2025 season in Foxborough

During his single season with the New England Patriots in 2025, the veteran wide receiver delivered solid production, recording 85 receptions for 1,013 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns across 17 regular-season games.

Now joining the Washington Commanders on a one-year deal for the 2026 season, Diggs looks to carry that momentum to his new team, aiming to replicate his 1,000-yard form and serve as a reliable veteran pass-catching threat alongside Terry McLaurin in Washington’s offense.

Daniels relies on his receivers

Jayden Daniels relies heavily on his passing attack to push the offense downfield, showcasing composure in the pocket and a strong ability to process defenses. In a 2025 season where his action was limited to 7 games, Daniels completed 114 of 188 passes (60.6% completion rate) for 1,262 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, posting an 88.1 passer rating as the primary facilitator of Washington’s air game.

Adding Diggs could be just what the doctor ordered for the Chiefs. Not only is Kansas City coming off a concerning 2025 NFL season in which the receiving corps relied heavily on Rashee Rice, but the team is also dealing with an injury bug that could complicate matters even further heading into the season. A proven veteran like Diggs could solve a lot of problems and spare Andy Reid and company plenty of future headaches.

Diggs proved he still has plenty left in the tank after a great year in New England. The fact that he remains a free agent with just over a month until the season begins is raising eyebrows and leaving fans wondering why the Chiefs aren’t all over him. If they are, they’ve done a great job covering their tracks.

Watching Worthy and Allen go down with injuries should have been the final straw—at least from the fans’ perspective—but Diggs has yet to make his way to Missouri to sign an NFL contract. With each passing hour, the anticipation builds, but another team could swoop in and sign the veteran wide receiver before the Chiefs do.

Fans call for Diggs

“I can’t imagine why we are not signing Diggs to a one-year deal,” a Chiefs fan commented on social media after seeing how the first-team wide receiver group looked. “How desperate do we need to get to sign Diggs?!“ another fan wrote. “[Laughing out loud] sign Diggs,” a fan replicated a common sentiment among Chiefs Kingdom.

If Worthy and Allen’s injuries aren’t enough for Kansas City to move forward with a plan to sign Diggs, then nothing may be able to trigger it. Perhaps only a disaster would.

Adding to the concerns, Rice doesn’t look fully recovered from the knee surgery he underwent earlier this year, and Kansas City is without a clear-cut No. 1 target if he isn’t at full strength. Diggs will turn 33 during the season, but he’s still capable of carrying the passing game when his team needs him most.

Concerns around Diggs

When it comes to Diggs, teams aren’t wary of him because of his age or injury history. In fact, it has nothing to do with his on-field performance. Instead, front offices are exercising caution because of the recent legal troubles surrounding the wide receiver, as well as the potential negative impact he could have in the locker room.

After helping the Patriots reach the Super Bowl, if Diggs is still a free agent, it’s clearly not because GMs question whether he’s a good fit on the field. Rather, they fear he could become a liability in the locker room.

Diggs could quickly build chemistry with Mahomes and become one of the star quarterback’s most reliable targets. Still, Brett Veach and the front office in Kansas City appear to be looking in a different direction—one that doesn’t bring even more attention to the organization. The Chiefs have dealt with enough off-field issues following Rice’s recent controversies. If they sign Diggs, they might simply be jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

Diggs would be a risky signing

From a football standpoint, Diggs could be a lifesaver. Off the field, however, he might become an anchor. If there is one quarterback who can make things happen even without elite wide receivers to throw to, it’s Mahomes, and it appears the Chiefs are willing to ask their franchise quarterback to make do with what he has.

Even if it’s not Diggs, however, Kansas City should add an experienced player to the wide receiver room. Fans are calling for Diggs, but they would probably welcome almost any addition to a receiving corps that currently has far more questions than answers.

Chiefs must make a move

Jalen Royals, Tyquan Thornton, and Andrew Armstrong were the Chiefs’ first-team wide receivers, according to Matt Derrick, as Rice, Worthy, and Allen were unable to participate. If the day ever comes when Mahomes has to rely on them, there will be little hope for Kansas City.

And the mere sight of them running with the first team in practice—even if it’s only training camp—should set off alarm bells in Veach’s office. If it doesn’t, then the Chiefs and their fans face a much bigger problem than their depth at wide receiver.

According to Bleacher Report’s Khristopher Knox, the Steelers should prioritize adding a proven veteran like Diggs to ensure their postseason ambitions are met. “If Pittsburgh hopes to make Rodgers’ last ride a memorable one, it should add a little more to its receiving corps. DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. should make a solid receiver duo,” Knox wrote in his recent analysis.

Knox further emphasized that while the top of the depth chart looks strong, the secondary options raise significant questions for an NFL contender. “However, rookies Germie Bernard and Kaden Wetjen are unproven, and Pittsburgh’s overall receiver depth is lacking. Adding a vet like [DeAndre] Hopkins or Stefon Diggs would help give the Steelers a playoff-caliber offense,” the report concluded.

Are Diggs and Hopkins the right options for Rodgers?

DeAndre Hopkins brings a massive amount of experience to the table, entering 2026 with 13 seasons under his belt and coming off a 2025 campaign where he recorded 22 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns in a limited role. Despite his age, his elite catch radius and ability to win 50-50 balls would provide Rodgers with a reliable safety net that rookie targets simply cannot replicate.

Diggs remains a high-level producer, having just surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the seventh time in eight years during a productive 2025 season with the Patriots. Finishing last year with 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns, Diggs proved he still possesses the elite route-running and separation skills.

Choosing a veteran like Diggs or Hopkins would likely accelerate the Steelers’ offensive chemistry, as both players have spent over a decade deciphering NFL defenses. Their veteran savvy would allow them to read Rodgers’ subtle pre-snap adjustments immediately, creating a lethal partnership that could turn Pittsburgh into a legitimate Super Bowl threat.

This move has sparked speculation that the Patriots could target younger options like Alec Pierce as part of a broader strategy to balance talent and long-term flexibility.

According to a report from Jordan Schultz, Mike Vrabel and the Patriots are actively evaluating key names on the wide receiver market. “Per sources, the Patriots have been in on the big names on the WR free-agent market next week and are believed to be prepared to spend big. Alec Pierce is among the names they’ve been eyeing. The trade market is also an option.”

Did the Patriots release Stefon Diggs?

Yes. The Patriots released Stefon Diggs, parting ways with the veteran wide receiver in a move that opens up both salary cap space and opportunities to retool their receiving corps ahead of the upcoming free‑agent period.

For the Patriots, the release of Diggs represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While losing a top-tier receiver is significant, targeting someone like Alec Pierce could provide a cost-effective, high-upside solution. Also, controversies off the field could have been a factor.

Now, combined with flexibility in the trade market and the salary cap, New England’s front office appears ready to take aggressive steps to make another Super Bowl run.

Shortly after news of the transaction broke, Diggs took to social media to reflect on his lone season in New England. “Thank you for a hell of a year. We family forever,” Diggs shared via his Instagram account, marking a graceful exit despite a tumultuous few weeks of speculation regarding his fit within Mike Vrabel’s long-term plans.

The release of Diggs appears to be the first domino to fall in a broader Patriots roster reset. New England’s front office is aggressively clearing cap space to retool a squad that struggled to find its offensive rhythm on the game’s biggest stage.

The move leaves a significant void on the Patriots WR depth chart. With Diggs gone, the focus shifts to internal solutions like Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins, though the team is widely expected to be active in free agency and the draft to find a true WR1 for Drake Maye’s third season.

Finding a potential home for the veteran wideout

While it’s early in the free agency cycle, the 32-year-old Diggs enters a market already buzzing with high-stakes movement. Different contenders who have cleared roster spots or draft capital in recent days could view the four-time Pro Bowler as the missing piece for a 2026 title run.

The Kansas City Chiefs are seen as a logical suitor for Diggs, as well as the New York Giants which are still desperate for a veteran boundary threat, and remain a team to watch as the Giants look to upgrade their pass-catching corps.

As the legal tampering period approaches, Diggs has the luxury of being a “vested veteran” who can sign immediately. Entering his 12th NFL season, the veteran wideout now has the opportunity to choose his next destination as he seeks the elusive Super Bowl ring that slipped through his fingers in Foxborough.

Stefon Diggs will now have to find another team to play for in 2026. On Wednesday, Tom Pelissero reported that New England will release the wide receiver, who failed to win his first Super Bowl after losing to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.

Without Diggs, the team’s depth chart has been updated. Kayshon Boutte is now projected as the WR1, followed by Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas, Jeremiah Webb, and John Jiles. However, the Patriots are expected to add another top wide receiver to fill the void left by Diggs.

What’s next for Stefon Diggs?

Stefon Diggs will be playing for a new team in the 2026 NFL season. The Patriots are set to release him at the start of the league’s new year, officially making him a free agent eligible to sign anywhere for the upcoming campaign.

The talented wide receiver put together a solid 2025 season, emerging as a key target for Drake Maye. For that reason, Diggs’ release could create an opportunity for teams like the New York Giants or the Kansas City Chiefs to pursue a proven playmaker ahead of next season.

The former Buffalo Bills standout is expected to draw significant interest in free agency. However, it appears he may have preferred to remain in New England, as he broke his silence following the Patriots’ decision to release him with a sentimental message.

The Giants could use a boost to their WR room in 2026 as Jaxson Dart enters his second year in the league, whereas the Chiefs definitely need to retool their offense around Patrick Mahomes after a disappointing season.

Diggs, who turns 33 in November, is a proven weapon in the league who still has enough left in the tank to contribute on a team with aspirations. However, the Giants and Chiefs might not be alone in his sweepstakes.

Potential suitors for Diggs apart from NY Giants and Chiefs

The Denver Broncos could benefit from a pass catcher with Diggs‘ experience to build on a promising 2025 campaign. Another potential suitor could be the Miami Dolphins, who recently released Tyreek Hill and could welcome new veteran presence in their WR group.

However, a return to the Buffalo Bills could also make sense. Diggs is already familiar with playing alongside Josh Allen, and it’s an area where the team struggled to find a dependable target last year.

Other teams to watch might be the Pittsburgh Steelers, who lacked an established WR2 behind DK Metcalf, or the San Francisco 49ers, who are expected to add at wide receiver this offseason.

Diggs’ 2025 season in New England

Diggs is coming off a productive season where he caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns with the Patriots, who made an unexpected run to Super Bowl LX. Only a month after the loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium, the wideout will be looking for a new home as the Patriots WR depth chart will look different in 2026.

“We just have 10 weeks until we’re back here,” Maye said to his teammates during the Patriots’ end of season media availabilties, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “That doesn’t sound too far away. It turns around quickly on you. I’m looking forward to it.”

Thus, Maye’s message serves as a clear reminder to his teammates. As much as the 29–13 defeat in Santa Clara stings—and will continue to do so—the 2026 NFL season will arrive sooner than they realize. After finishing 4–13 in 2024 and then reaching the Super Bowl this season, the Patriots may not fully grasp just how much shorter their offseason will be after making it all the way to Super Bowl LX.

Offseason schedule

Although the NFL offseason is known for being extremely long—with fans counting down the days until the start of OTAs and training camp—Maye’s statement is actually accurate.

Unless the Patriots move on from Mike Vrabel—which has virtually no chance of happening—their team workouts cannot begin until the third Monday of April. As a result, Maye and his teammates won’t be back on the field in New England until, at the very least, April 20, 2026.

Diggs’ future, Maye is going up against ghosts

Whether Diggs will be with the team by then, and for the 2026 NFL season as a whole, is a question of its own. As it stands, Diggs made his intentions clear with a four-word message about his future with the Patriots after Super Bowl LX. As long as he remains part of the organization, Diggs will be happy to stay in Foxborough.

As for Maye and the rest of the roster, they already have enough on their plate without having to worry about Diggs’ situation. For Maye, he may now be staring down an NFL curse for the rest of his career.

By losing a Super Bowl in his second season, he has joined a list that includes household names like Dan Marino, Joe Burrow, and Brock Purdy—all of whom lost the biggest game of their careers as sophomores. However, none of them ever made it back to the Super Bowl. While Burrow and Purdy still have time to break the curse, Maye must now strive to do so as soon as possible, before it becomes a lasting narrative around him.