Vikings fans are all in on rookie wide receiver Stefon Diggs. But as the young wide out was taking reps with the first team during practice on Thursday, his offensive coordinator was urging people to back off on the hype.
After two games, Diggs has drawn comparisons to Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown and even former Vikings receiver Randy Moss.
In those two starts at Denver and at home against Kansas City, Diggs has 216 receiving yards on 13 catches. While the numbers are impressive, Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner told reporters fans should stay grounded on the young rookie receiver.
“Diggs has been impressive since he got here,” Turner said Thursday. “I’m going to slow that down, he’s got a lot of work to do. We went in and played a man [coverage] team and put in a couple routes they’d never seen us run and he did a good job running them. I think he caught four balls in the first quarter. He’s going to be a real good player. He just has a lot of work to do.”
Diggs was inactive for the first three games of the season. According to the Pioneer Press, he was getting some run with the first team at practice Thursday. That doesn’t necessarily mean anything though, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer isn’t showing his hand.
Mike Zimmer on if he’ll start Stefon Diggs: “I’ve got an idea. There’s no sense in telling everybody.’’
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) October 22, 2015
The Vikings may be sending some mixed messages. 1500 ESPN reports Charles Johnson, who’s returning for injury also was taking reps with the first team. Johnson missed the last two games with a rib injury. He plans to return on Sunday in Detroit.
No matter who starts, it would be surprising not to see Diggs out there some after his impressive first two games.
Diggs was drafted by the Vikings in the 5th round (146th overall) out of Maryland. His 13 catches on 19 targets has already moved him up to second on the team in receiving yards.
“The good thing about him is, he understands that,” said Turner. “And that’s the way he approaches it and he comes in here every day with a mindset he’s going to get better.”
