Stefon Diggs, the 31-year-old wide receiver, is actively recovering from an ACL tear sustained in October 2024 while playing for the Houston Texans. This injury ended his season prematurely, with Diggs recording 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns in the eight games he played.

People tend to get angry when their “fantasy football draft pick” isn’t on the field. So we wanted to give you a glimpse into how complex the road to full strength can be.

Here is what a timeline of the process looks like for most athletes…

1. Surgery and Immediate Recovery (Weeks 1-2)

• Day of Surgery: The surgery to reconstruct the ACL is often performed within days of the injury (usually within 1-2 weeks, but can be longer if swelling is prominent).

• Post-Surgery: The athlete will focus on managing pain and inflammation. Physical therapy starts early to regain knee motion, with an emphasis on reducing swelling and restoring range of motion.

2. Early Rehabilitation (Weeks 2-6)

• Weeks 2-4: Focus on improving range of motion and starting basic strengthening exercises for the quadriceps and hamstrings. Athletes may use crutches or a knee brace for support during this phase.

• Weeks 4-6: The emphasis shifts to building strength and stabilizing the knee. Light, low-impact exercises like stationary biking may begin.

3. Mid-Stage Rehabilitation (Months 2-4)

• Month 2: Physical therapy intensifies. Athletes work on improving strength and flexibility around the knee, gradually increasing the intensity of exercises.

• Month 3: Focus on dynamic exercises like squats, lunges, and single-leg exercises to strengthen the knee. Athletes may begin light jogging on a treadmill or running at a very low intensity.

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4. Return to Sport-Specific Training (Months 4-6)

• Month 4-5: Start incorporating sport-specific drills, such as cutting, pivoting, and lateral movements. Physical therapy will often include agility and coordination exercises.

• Month 5-6: Progress to more intense agility drills, running at full speed, and practicing sport-specific movements like jumping and sprinting.

5. Full Return to Play (Months 6-12)

• Month 6-9: After 6 months, many athletes may be cleared to return to practice or even some game situations, depending on their progress. They will undergo regular evaluations to ensure their knee is stable and functional.

• Month 9-12: Full return to competitive play may be possible, though it often takes around 9-12 months for most NFL players to return to their pre-injury level of performance, as the knee needs to regain full strength, stability, and function.

Diggs Currently…

As of March 2025, Diggs is navigating the free agency process. He visited the New England Patriots on March 19, marking his first team visit since becoming a free agent. The primary focus of this visit was to assess his recovery progress, given his recent ACL surgery. While no contract was finalized during this visit, both parties have expressed interest in continuing discussions.

This process is something the Velvet Steel Team has seen first hand. Forever cheering for those working to come back from harsh injuries.

We hope you enjoyed today’s letter.

Sincerely,

The Velvet Steel Team