Stefon Diggs made his first appearance in a Houston Texans uniform Thursday during the team’s Optional Team Activity practice in Houston. Diggs took the field and ran a series of routes as he caught passes from quarterback C.J. Stroud. After the OTA session, the receiver drew rave reviews from his new offensive coordinator.
“[Diggs has] been great to work with,” Houston offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik told the media in Houston. “He’s so competitive and it shows on tape. He’s a lot like our quarterback in that he will do absolutely anything necessary to win a game. Whether he doesn’t have the ball, he has the ball in his hands, at all times between the white lines, he’s doing everything he can to win.
“He’s got all the receiver traits you could ask for. But what jumps out to me, and what fits with us and what we’re always engaged with is how competitive guys are, how tough they are and the style of play they have.”
Bobby Slowik on what he thought when told Stefon Diggs was going to be here and what it’s like working with him so far #Texans
“He’s so competitive and it shows on tape. He’s a lot like our quarterback in that he will do absolutely anything necessary to win a game.” pic.twitter.com/X2N8UdDJu5
— Shaun Bijani (@ShaunBijani) May 30, 2024
one of wun 🫡 pic.twitter.com/WPayM4IXHT
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 30, 2024
Slowik wasn’t alone with his praise for Diggs. Fellow wide receiver—and now fellow big-money wide receiver—Nico Collins detailed the benefit of adding Diggs when meeting with the media Thursday, noting Houston’s Super Bowl hopes in the process.
“It’s hard [to defend], we all got different games,” Collins said of Houston’s receiving corps. “As a unit, as a receiver room, we got the pieces we need. It’s going to be hard for defenses.
“We know our mission. We tryna win a Super Bowl. Can’t be selfish. Gotta be a team player. Gotta have joy for your brother out there making plays. I feel like, as a unit, that’s what we doing. Building that chemistry, building that bond. Build that bond, it’s unbreakable.”
Nico Collins mentions Texans Super Bowl aspirations while talking about the advantages of having Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, and himself on the roster: pic.twitter.com/bl6Tj7qBQ7
— James Roy (@JamesRoyNFL) May 30, 2024
Diggs is now a member of a three-headed monster of sorts in Houston, with Collins and rising youngster Tank Dell creating what could be the AFC’s top receiving trio. So while we may not see Diggs cross 100 catches for the fifth-straight season in 2024, those attending OTAs Wednesday saw a version of Diggs that mirrored the Buffalo version. Per ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime, the Diggs on scene Thursday looks more than worthy of the WR1 tag entering 2024.
The beginning of the CJ Stroud ➡️ Stefon Diggs connection. pic.twitter.com/88iGnl2YAl
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) May 30, 2024
Doesn’t look like #Texans newly acquired WR Stefon Diggs has lost much.
Still looks very quick in and out of his breaks. Still has the suddenness at the top of routes to create noticeable separation.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) May 30, 2024
Diggs and the rest of Houston’s offense will complete OTAs on Friday. The team’s three-day mandatory mini-camp will begin next Tuesday.
