Stefon Diggs feeling ‘thankful’ after ‘bittersweet’ Patriots debut

FOXBORO Stefon Diggs will admit it Getting hit isn t a part of football he enjoys The -foot -pound wide receiver would much rather run around defenders than through them But on Sunday playing in his first battle in days and first in a Patriots uniform Diggs made an exception Obviously getting tackled helps a lot he announced Wednesday I didn t want to escape that battle without getting hit a little bit so I was seeking a little bit of contact And I don t really love to get hit at all obviously I play receiver but I needed it a little bit I needed to get out there and hit the ground a little bit catch a couple passes So for me I m just trying to build off it Ten months removed from the torn ACL that ended his season Diggs caught six of his seven targets from quarterback Drake Maye for yards in the Patriots - loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium I felt good Diggs declared I veritably missed the contact portion of it as far as getting hit a little bit so I looked forward to getting back out there I m more thankful than anything I hate losing obviously I wasn t too happy about that but at the same time I took a lot from it as far as me being back out there and getting acclimated again and getting particular contact and catching the ball again It s going to be a lot of fun Though he was disappointed by the upshot Diggs viewed the contest as a positive step in his return from the the greater part notable injury he s suffered in his career I had these moments where I was like Damn I missed this so much and I m so thankful to be back around what I love to do ' the -year-old reported For me I had that moment But at the same time I was losing so it was like bittersweet Diggs usage will be worth monitoring as the Patriots season progresses His pedigree four Pro Bowl nods six straight -yard seasons suggests he should be New England s No wideout but he ranked fourth in snaps played against the Raiders of behind Kayshon Boutte DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins Among Patriots receivers who dressed for the challenge only second-round rookie Kyle Williams played fewer seven Undrafted rookie Efton Chism III was a healthy scratch The Patriots could look to increase Diggs involvement as he reacclimates to meeting speed Boutte performed well in the lead role in Week however catching six of eight targets for yards