Vikings fine receiver Stefon Diggs more than $200,000 for unexcused absences

He's expected to play today against the Giants in New Jersey.

October 6, 2019 at 9:21PM
Minnesota Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs during pregame warm ups.
Minnesota Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs during pregame warm ups. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs sits on a cooler at the end of the game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. The Bills upset the Vikings 27-6. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1241085
(TNS - TNS/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Stefon Diggs was fined more than $200,000 by the Vikings for missing practices and mandatory meetings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, he confirmed after Sunday's win in New York.

Diggs, who returned to practice Thursday and acknowledged his frustration with the Vikings offense and the possibility of being traded, suited up and caught three passes for 44 yards against the Giants after head coach Mike Zimmer said Friday he'd "already" been punished — meaning the fines.

Diggs said Sunday afternoon he "should've communicated better" after unexcused absences during three days last week.

"It was never not good," Diggs said of his status with the Vikings. "Outside people got things a little shaky, but at this point – I'm a team guy. I'm here and I want to win."

However, the possibility of Diggs being traded before the Oct. 29 deadline, or after the season, remains as the Vikings front office has reportedly told inquiring teams it'll budge with a massive offer. Diggs' dissatisfaction has been known by teammates for months, sources told the Star Tribune this week, meaning it may not go away very quickly.

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The NFL collective bargaining agreement allows teams to fine by discretion if it's "the same player" committing "repeated offenses in the same League Year," meaning they deem his conduct "detrimental" to the team. Otherwise there is a $39,890 daily limit on cumulative fines for the 2019 league year.

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about the writer

Andrew Krammer

Reporter

Andrew Krammer covers the Vikings for the Star Tribune, entering his sixth NFL season. From the Metrodome to U.S. Bank Stadium, he's reported on everything from Case Keenum's Minneapolis Miracle, the offensive line's kangaroo court to Adrian Peterson's suspension.

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