Stefon Diggs wasted no time making his Commanders debut impossible to ignore, but the first big moment came with a costly twist.
In Washington’s opening Sunday matchup against the Eagles, the veteran receiver found the end zone on a 10-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, pulling the Commanders to within one point of tying the game. The score was the kind of play that should have set off a celebration. Instead, Diggs followed it by jumping on the goal post, drawing a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
That flag mattered immediately. The penalty wiped out Washington’s chance to go for a two-point conversion to tie the game, turning a huge swing play into an avoidable setback.
Diggs’ debut was still enough to show he has not fallen off, and for Patriots fans who were frustrated when New England moved on from him after just one year of a three-year contract, it only sharpened the second-guessing.
The timing makes the whole thing even more frustrating from the Patriots’ side, with A.J. Brown sidelined for at least four games because of an ankle sprain and Kayshon Boutte traded to the Texans.
For Diggs, though, the bigger issue is the mistake itself. He should be looking back at that penalty as a self-inflicted blow, especially if it ends up being part of the reason Washington loses. If that happens, a debut that started with a touchdown could quickly be remembered for the wrong reason - and Commanders fans may not be nearly as forgiving.
In Other News...
Patriots Suddenly Face A Bigger A.J. Brown Problem Than Expected
The Patriots receiver picture took an immediate hit when A.J. Brown went on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 1. The original expectation was a four-week absence, which already would have tested New Englands depth and timing on offense early in the season.
Now the recovery window sounds longer, with reports suggesting Brown could miss up to six weeks and not be back until around Week 8. No surgery is planned, which is at least a good sign, but it leaves the Patriots waiting longer than they first hoped for a key piece of the passing game to get back on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Fans Can Already Judge Vrabels Best And Worst Trades
Mike Vrabels first two offseasons have already given Patriots fans plenty to sort through, with a busy trade ledger that has helped reshape the roster in stages. Some of the deals have looked like clear wins, others have been more of a fine balance between cost and fit, and a few have landed in that frustrating middle ground where the logic made sense even if the return has not exactly stirred enthusiasm.
What makes the list interesting is how much of it is still being judged in real time, because several of the swaps hinge on players whose impact in New England remains limited so far. The draft capital attached to those moves matters too, since the Patriots have been working through a broader plan that blends immediate roster fixes with longer-term bets, and not every trade can be graded the same way when the results are still unfolding. [Read more 🡒]
Hunter Henry Is Closing In On Rare Patriots Company
The Patriots left Seattle with a loss, but Hunter Henry still walked away with another reminder of how important he has become to the offense. The veteran tight end is closing in on 3,000 receiving yards, a mark that would put him in rare company among the teams all-time receiving leaders at his position and add another line to a rsum that already reflects his value far beyond the box score.
Drake Maye has made it clear Henrys influence reaches well beyond the routes he runs, praising him for the mentorship and leadership he brings to a young offense. With the Patriots dealing with A.J. Browns high-ankle sprain and the uncertainty that comes with moving pieces around a passing game, Henrys steadiness matters even more, and the next milestone is suddenly sitting right in front of him. [Read more 🡒]