Stefon Diggs

Stefon Diggs could miss week 5 against the Houston Texans

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Minnesota Vikings may have to play Sunday’s week 5 game against the Houston Texans without their top wide receiver, Stefon Diggs.

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs is off to a great start to the 2016 NFL season. So far, he’s accumulated 372 through 4 games, catching 25 of the 33 passes thrown his way by the Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks.

He has quickly become a go-to pass catcher for Sam Bradford, who helped to make Diggs a household name on Sunday Night Football in week 2 against the Green Bay Packers when the receiver caught 9 of 10 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown.

Sadly, Bradford may not have his top weapon available in week 5 against the Houston Texans, as it is being reported that a groin injury has sidelined him at practice. Not only that, but he was downgraded from questionable to doubtful on the Friday injury report.

Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) catches a touchdown pass past Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall (23) in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings could use all the weapons they can get against Houston, whose defense has been feasting off the passing game of their opponents. Here is what NFL.com had to say about the possible implications of Diggs missing the game on Sunday, October 9, 2016:

“Diggs’ likely absence is a blow to Bradford this week against the Texans’ No. 1 rated pass defense. Expect Kyle Rudolph to see heavy targets his way. Charles Johnson and Adam Thielen bump up in the pecking order. The Vikings will need continued progress from Cordarrelle Patterson as an every-down threat this week. Rookie first-round pick Laquon Treadwell could also see snaps.”

Thankfully, the Minnesota Vikings do have enough talent and depth at wide receiver that they should be able to continue playing their efficient, high percentage offense. There is no doubt that the team would love to have Stefon Diggs available against Houston, but it is best that the Vikings take the best approach possible to his long-term health since it looks like this could be a season were Minnesota takes a long run, hard at the playoffs.