The Patriots will be facing Titans but without wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Still, HC Mike Vrabel looks confident.

Mike Vrabel Quietly Ignites Position Battle As Patriots HC Casts Doubt Over Stefon Diggs

New England Patriots [https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nfl/new-england-patriots/]‘ wide receiver Stefon Diggs (chest) will be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans [https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nfl/tennessee-titans/]. Amidst his unavailability, head coach Mike Vrabel is confident about his WR room’s performance. “They’ve all shown that when given opportunities, they’ll make plays. They all contribute … that room is understanding that the ball is going to go to the one that’s open first in the progression.” Vrabel said during [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-commanders-mike-vrabel-confirms-strong-feelings-against-drake-maye-after-obliterating-commanders/] a press conference. After a couple of losses to start, the Patriots won three straight games and will look to make it four against the Tennessee Titans. Stefon Diggs will miss the Sunday night game, but Vrabel believes that others in the WR room know how to deliver on the field. The Patriots have quite a depth in their WR room, and that’s what Diggs is confident about. The Patriots have built the WR room in such a way that they can be reliable options behind Diggs. The WR room without Diggs includes Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, rookie Kyle Williams, and Kayshon Boutte. But it’s not only about the depth that Vrabel is confident about; it’s also about individual performance in the WR room. [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Stefon-Diggs-2.jpg] In the Week 6 victory against the New Orleans Saints, Kayshon Boutte ended up putting up his career-best performance. He had five receptions for 93 yards and had two TDs. He also ranks fourth in average air yards per target and is in sixth position in yards per catch. While Mack Hollins brings 9 years of veteran experience, in the 2025 season, he had 9 receptions for 70 yards and 2 TDs. DeMario Douglas is also coming off an excellent 2024 season, where he had 66 receptions for 621 yards and three touchdowns. He has the ability to play big roles whenever the team needs him. And, Kyle Williams also appeared in the season-opener, catching one pass for 21 yards. He might have flashes of action in only two games, but he is also being trained for the big role. With such a performance-oriented and well-structured WR depth, it is no surprise that Vrabel is confident even without Diggy. It also shows that the team is not entirely dependent on Diggy, whose injury was a shock to the fans. DIGGY’S UNEXPECTED INJURY AND HIS CONTRIBUTION BEFORE THAT Stefon Diggs’ injury and his inclusion on the IR came as a surprise, as he has been playing the 2025 NFL season without any health concerns. After the injury, Diggs was limited [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-patriots-stefon-diggs-sets-record-straight-on-drake-maye-after-patriots-star-puts-locker-room-on-notice/] in the team’s practice sessions that started on 15th October. The last time Diggy was injured was back in October 2024, when he tore his ACL in the game against the Indianapolis Colts. So, even his last injury is not related to what he is currently dealing with. Although Vrabel is all geared up to deal with Titans without Diggy, his contribution can’t be ignored. He was the favorite target of Drake Maye throughout the season. He also leads the team with 32 receptions, 387 receiving yards, and 147 yards after catch. Diggy’s absence has opened the door for other wide receivers in the locker room to rise and shine. But it’s only till we get an update on the severity of Diggy’s injury and his recovery timeline. Till now, the other wide receivers can gear up to leave an impression. 

Antra Koul is an NFL editor at EssentiallySports who brings over three years of editorial expertise and a genuine love for the game to every article. She's the perfect blend of a passionate fan and a skilled strategist, always ready to dive deep into what makes football so captivating. Antra is a devoted fan of the <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/">Kansas City Chiefs</a>, whose powerhouse performances won her heart, and the headlines made by Taylor Swift's fandom didn't hurt, either. The Chiefs' 2024 Super Bowl victory remains one of her most treasured football memories, a moment that perfectly captures why she fell in love with the game.

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Mike Vrabel Quietly Ignites Position Battle As Patriots HC Casts Doubt Over Stefon Diggs

Mike Vrabel Quietly Ignites Position Battle As Patriots HC Casts Doubt Over Stefon Diggs

Diggy’s unexpected injury and his contribution before that