Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs looks like old self in return to Minnesota for practices vs. the Vikings

The author of the Minneapolis Miracle, first-year Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs, didn’t take any questions from scribes covering the Vikings or the Patriots during two joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday.

But he made some noise in front of Vikings fans at the team’s Eagan headquarters, flexing in front of the purple-clad bleachers after catching one of his few deep grabs from Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.

Diggs, despite being 31 years old and 10 months removed from an ACL tear, still looked like the same shifty target who dazzled spectators during his five seasons in Minnesota.

With the Vikings, he averaged 924 yards annually and scored 32 touchdowns that included the game winner of the team’s most recent home playoff win, in 2017 over the New Orleans Saints.

Diggs was a go-to guy during practices against the Vikings for Maye, the Patriots quarterback taken No. 3 overall last year. New England needs Diggs to be that leading producer after signing the twice-traded receiver to a three-year deal worth $63.5 million.

On Thursday during a one-on-one goal line session, Diggs ran off the turf following a catch in the back left corner of the end zone.

“Hold that! Hold that for me!” Diggs yelled as he handed the ball to a spectator on the sideline.

In typical Diggs fashion, he stood out Wednesday, too, while chopping neon green cleats into the field during precise routes that beat multiple Vikings cornerbacks ranging from Byron Murphy Jr. to Jeff Okudah.

He appeared healthy again while recovering from the knee injury that ended his only season with the Houston Texans. But he did not play in New England’s preseason opener last week. It remains unclear if he’ll play against his old team in Saturday’s preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium.

First-year Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel cited Diggs’ workload in practices, which was substantial in his return to Minnesota, when asked why the receiver didn’t play last week.

Vrabel is also already answering questions about Diggs’ contentment. He was asked Thursday to clarify a recent comment made by Patriots receivers coach Todd Downing, who said Diggs “can’t confuse results with the process” if there’s a day he doesn’t have many catches.

“I’m not sure which day Todd said that,” Vrabel said, “but the other day in the red zone, I thought that Stefon factored and looked good and keeps getting better, so I don’t think that that’s going to be always the case, right?”

“It starts with me building those guys, and then from there I think guys can kind of bounce off and I really tell those guys to push me,” Maye said.

Safety Josh Metellus is dealing with a sore left shoulder that will require further testing, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell, after he hit the ground hard while trying to cover a deep touchdown throw from Maye to receiver Kayshon Boutte at the end of practice.

Receiver Jalen Nailor will also need further testing on his left hand, which he “dinged” during practice, O’Connell said. Nailor exited a goal-line passing drill to be evaluated by medical staff. He returned to the sideline with his left hand wrapped, but did not practice again.

Six others did not practice Thursday: receiver Justin Jefferson, edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, safety Harrison Smith, left tackle Christian Darrisaw, fullback C.J. Ham and defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez.

Jefferson missed a 13th straight practice due to the left hamstring strain suffered July 24 in the first week of training camp.

Receiver Lucky Jackson practiced with a ripped jersey after his block for Jordan Addison during a receiver screen led to him locking up with a Patriots defender out of bounds; pushing and shoving ensued. Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. was among the other Vikings players involved in brief tussles that were contained.

“Whenever you got pads on like this and you’re going against another grown man who’s fighting for his job to keep food on the table and get after his next paycheck, there’s going to be some of that,” Greenard said.

The Vikings defense appeared to win their situational drill at the end of practice.

The situation: down 27-21 with one minute left from midfield.

Patriots rookie left tackle Will Campbell had a false start while preparing to block Greenard. Edge rusher Dallas Turner then registered a sack from the right side when he ran by and tapped Maye.

Emily Leiker of the Minnesota Star Tribune contributed to this story.