FOXBORO — Stefon Diggs played 26 out a possible 52 snaps against the Bills last weekend. He finished with three catches on four targets for 26 yards.
In recent weeks, Diggs’ snap count has hovered around the 50 percent participation mark. Against the Giants, he played 31 of 65 (47.7 percent). Against the Bengals, he played 34 of 71 (47.9 percent).
Against the Jets in Week 11, though, he saw 46 snaps out of a possible 66 (68.7 percent). In that Jets game, Diggs had one of his best performances of the season, reeling in nine catches on 11 targets for 105 yards.
In the five contests before that Jets game and the three since, Diggs has exceeded 50 yards receiving once: He caught seven passes for 69 yards against the Titans in October.
Diggs was asked Wednesday if it was challenging dealing with fluctuating playing time.
“S—, I don’t know,” he said. “For real, like, just trying to get used to it. I mean, you know, it kind of was the same kind of in the beginning of the year, too. I just try to take advantage of the opportunities I do get. And when I am out there, be a vessel. Be a positive force, rather than, you know, being any other way.
“I’m adjusting to it. Like, I just try to do what I’m asked, and then handle it the best way I can. You know, I always want to be out there. I want to make plays, and I want to play at a high level. But we’ve got a lot of skill guys. We got a lot of amazing players. I’m just doing what I can.”
Would Diggs like to be asked to do more?
“Hey, man,” he said, “that’s up to y’all.”
In the last three weeks, since that 100-yard performance against the Jets on Thursday Night Football, Diggs has seen a total of 11 targets, catching eight for 72 total yards.
The Patriots simply could be managing Diggs in the hopes of having him fresh for the postseason. They could be limiting his workload — as they did during training camp — understanding that he is still in his 30s and still in his first season back after an ACL tear ended his 2024 season.
But his usage bears watching — particularly coming off a difficult second half for the entire Patriots offense against Buffalo in Week 15 — as New England gets set to take on what looks like a defense rounding into form in Baltimore on Sunday Night Football.
