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On Friday, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said the team “has already punished” wide receiver Stefon Diggs for missing practice and meetings. Reportedly, the star wide-out earned fines. According to Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN, those fines are worth over $200,000.
Diggs missed meetings on both Monday and Tuesday as well as two practices, per Schefter and Mortensen. He did so while un-injured and returned on Thursday to practice and address speculation and rumors of a trade requestion. Said Diggs, “there is truth in every rumor.”
Despite his absences from practice, Diggs is expected to play against the New York Giants on Sunday. The Vikings are also not expected to trade the 25-year-old wide receiver, as multiple reports indicate.
Diggs' frustration with the Vikings likely stems from their offensive overhaul that includes swaying away from Kirk Cousins and the passing game. Under Gary Kubiak and Kevin Stefanski, Minnesota is passing the ball just 47.35% of the time, good for second to last in the NFL.
Through the first four games of the season, Diggs has 13 receptions for 209 yards and a touchdown. He is averaging 4.75 targets per game; that’s a far cry from 2019, in which he averaged nearly 10 per. The demise of his box score statistics can be credited to Minnesota’s offensive shift.
Fining Diggs $200,000 may not do much to mend fences between the two sides. Could this mean the team doesn't plan on trading him, as previously reported? Nonetheless, with the October 29th trade deadline looming, the situation between the two will be one worth watching.
