NFL analyst calls for Texans to trade for Stefon Diggs' former 2x Pro Bowl teammate as his replacement
Stefon Diggs has become the latest NFL star to suffer a season-ending injury. Amid a stellar 2024 season with 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns, Diggs tore his ACL, putting an end to his first (and perhaps only) season with the up-and-coming Houston Texans.
In the wake of this news, NFL analyst Mike Florio has proposed the Texans add another veteran wide receiver to replace the injured star. On Wednesday's edition of his "Pro Football Talk" show, Florio named Adam Thielen, a former Diggs teammate, to fill in for the 30-year-old wideout.
"[00:04:23] There's plenty of receivers who've been traded. And if you're the Texans, how are you not making the phone calls to see who's out there, who could come in and replace Stefon Diggs? Why not Adam Thielen, who played with Diggs in Minnesota and has that same kind of vibe, a guy who can come in and has the veteran presence, has the experience in the postseason that could maybe help the team."
Thielen signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2013, two years before Diggs arrived. They played together until 2019 when Diggs was traded to the Buffalo Bills ahead of the 2020 NFL season. Thielen stayed with the team until 2023, when the Vikings released him as a salary cap move.
He's been with the Carolina Panthers since that same year after signing a three-year, $25 million deal with the NFC South franchise. Now, his path could cross with Diggs if the Texans decide to make a move for him.
Tank Dell and Nico Collins (if he returns in Week 10) will be tasked to fill in for Diggs, which should be no problem. But, if they want to add a veteran presence on the wide receiver room, Thielen is a good option.
Could Panthers trade former Stefon Diggs teammate Adam Thielen?
The Carolina Panthers have made it clear that they don't have interest in parting with RB Chuba Hubbard or CB Jaycee Horn, but some around the league believe that Adam Thielen would be on the market for the right price.
Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports thinks that Thielen could be moved before the Nov. 5 trade deadline, but instead of the Texans, he names the Chargers as a potential landing spot for the veteran.
Adam Thielen isn't as spectacular as before, but Stefon Diggs proved that experience can do a lot when the explosiveness isn't there anymore.