“I spent a lot of time there,” he said prior to Wednesday’s practice. “I’m really familiar with their staff. Familiar with the guys there. The guys that I did maintain a relationship, I look forward to seeing them. It’s going to be a little bit emotional. I’ll try to keep the main thing the main thing, but it’s my first time back there. It’s going to be a hell of an atmosphere.”
Statistically, Diggs had the four best seasons of his career in Buffalo, finishing with over 1,000 yards every year to go along with a pair of All-Pro honors. But it was a rancorous stretch. He was asked Wednesday if he wanted to leave the Bills.
“It’s the nature of the business, I guess,” Diggs said. “Obviously, it was hard for me. It was a difficult time. I spent a lot of time there, built a lot of bonds, a lot of friendships. It’s going to be emotional. I look forward to going back, seeing those guys. It’s just the nature of the business. I’m not in control. I get open. I catch the ball.”
Diggs is returning to Buffalo on a high note. Last week against the Panthers, he had his first 100-plus yard game as a member of the Patriots, catching six passes on seven targets for 101 yards. After the blowout win over Carolina, he raised some eyebrows when he said his current comfort level in the New England offense was a 5 out of 10.
“When I said the other day it was a 5 out of 10, obviously, I was being facetious. Or sarcastic in a way,” said Diggs, who leads the Patriots with 19 catches for 213 yards through four games. “Just because, the way I look at it, I never want to get too comfortable. I said 5 out of 10 because if it’s 8 out of 10, or 9 out of 10, I don’t really have to look at my notes. I don’t really have to look over it multiple times.”
Diggs said coach Mike Vrabel — who said the player should “study more” when asked about the 5 out of 10 statement — knew he was joking.
“He knows how much time I put in, and how hard I work, especially during the week,” Diggs said. “He would be able to tell if I was out there [expletive] up.”
Marcus Jones landed AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his performance against the Panthers, which included three punt returns for 167 yards. He ran one back for a touchdown, and nearly had a second score.
“It means a lot. It might say my name, but it’s the other 10 guys I was on the field as well,” Jones said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be able to get to the end zone. So it means a lot, just from the sense of all the hard work that we put in from OTAs training camp into, you know, Sundays. So it means a lot.”
Linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson (knee) and safety Jaylinn Hawkins (hamstring) were the two DNPs for the Patriots when it came to the day’s workout. Three players were listed as limited: defensive tackle Christian Barmore (not injury related), defensive tackle Milton Williams (ankle), and guard Jared Wilson (ankle/knee). … As for the Bills, only linebacker Dorian Williams (knee) did not practice. They had four players classified as limited: offensive lineman Spencer Brown (calf), tight end Jackson Hawes (ankle), linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral), and defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle) … Shawn Hochuli has been assigned as the lead referee for Sunday night. The 47-year-old son of former official Ed Hochuli will work his first Patriots game since Dec. 17, 2023.