Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs remained absent from the team’s voluntary spring practices. However, his teammate, Von Miller, doesn’t appear to be worried about it.
“He’s not here right now, but I don’t think it should ever be a question is football No. 1 on his mind,” Miller told the Associated Press.
“He’s going to show that he’s a better version of Stefon Diggs on and off the football field. And for me and my point of view as a teammate … those are the things that matter to me,” he added. “Is he going to be better than last year? Is he going to compete? Does he still love the game? And all of those boxes are checked.”
Miller did note he anticipates Diggs to be at the mandatory practices in the upcoming weeks.
The absence of Diggs could be significant and sends a message. The three-time Pro Bowler was outspoken about the team’s disappointing loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last season.
He attempted to leave with his belongings before the coaches returned to the locker room. Diggs then took to social media, saying he wasn’t okay with losing.
“Want me to be okay with our level of play when it’s not up to the standard? Nah,” he wrote on Twitter. “It’s easy to criticize my reaction more than the result.”
Last year, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson skipped the voluntary workouts but was there Wednesday after the long-awaited $260 million, five-year deal was signed.
For Diggs, he’s had the support of his quarterback, Josh Allen, who, just like Diggs, knows they left a lot on the field to cut their journey to the playoffs short.
Allen is on the cusp of arguably the best season of his career and knows part of that success lies in the hands of Diggs.
The 29-year-old finished last year’s campaign with 1,429 yards and 11 touchdowns.
