EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. —Stefon Diggs plays with a passion and desire that is matched by few around the NFL.
The Vikings wide receiver is also rarely satisfied with his play, even as he made plenty of improvements last season, his second in the league.
Diggs spoke earlier this spring about always working to be better than he was the day before.
"This year will just be another year to get better, to do better than last year," Diggs said. "I kind of feel like last year, from the year prior to that when I was kind of disappointed going into my second season with a lot to prove, I have a lot to prove this year around.
"I can do more, and I know I can do more, but more importantly, stay healthy throughout the year so I can be there for my team and be reliable," Diggs added.
The former fifth-round pick led the Vikings with 84 catches (which ranked 16th in the NFL) and added 903 receiving yards. He also had three touchdown catches.
Diggs' stat line came in 13 games, and he did not suit up in three games due to injury.
The former Maryland standout said one of his main goals in 2017 is to play a full 16-game schedule for the first time in his career.
"Stay healthy. That's all that matters. I got hurt real early," Diggs said. "I had pulled my groin in the Giants game, I had strained it the week before. Stuff like that is on me, staying healthy, staying where I need to be so I can be at tip-top shape come game time.
"(Injuries to your) muscles should be preventable if you take care of your body," Diggs added. "If you break something or something like that, that's something you can't prevent. But I should be able to take good control of that other stuff."
Even if Diggs was banged up, his teammates are quick to point out that he is tough.
"Diggsy is a tough guy to really put a limit to," said Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen. "That guy, the way he works and his attitude and the way he approaches the game of football, there really is no limit to his game.
"It's exciting for me to be in that room with him because I get to see him every day and see the way he works," Thielen added. "Not a lot of people get to see that side of him, and I'm excited to see him as his career progresses."
Diggs and his veteran teammates have just over two weeks before they report to training camp in Mankato.
Diggs is using his down time to see the globe, as he's currently on a goodwill trip to London. The Vikings will play in London on Oct. 29 against the Cleveland Browns.
His visit included watching a legendary tennis tournament:
Once Diggs returns to Minnesota, his focus will be on a few weeks of grueling work at training camp before a handful preseason games, all of which builds up to the hope of success in the 2017 season.
But Diggs isn't about personal goals. Instead, he has his eye on the biggest prize of all — playing in U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4 in Super Bowl LII.
"It would be a great homecoming for us, to be in it," Diggs said. "You are excited, but you know it's a long season. You want to take it one game at a time.
"We'll cross that road when we come to it, but of course, a fairytale story, we would love to be there," Diggs said. "I would love to be there."
