Taking on a long-term injured player involves a risk. The New England Patriots have apparently covered themselves contractually with Stefon Diggs.

In recent NFL seasons, Stefon Diggs has been considered one of the best wide receivers in the league. But last season was cut short for the 31-year-old veteran.

A torn anterior cruciate ligament kept him from playing more than eight games for the Houston Texans. Nevertheless, a team signed him during the offseason – despite the serious knee injury that has not yet been cured.

Diggs signed a surprisingly large three-year contract with the New England Patriots, worth a whopping $69 million.

A big risk for the Patriots. After all, it is never clear how a player will return to the field from a long-term and serious injury. However, the big contract is probably only risky at first glance.

As NBC Sports reported, the Patriots have contractually protected themselves in the Diggs case. The contract includes a clause regarding the right knee.

Patriots build unusual clause into Diggs contract

His guarantees – totaling $26 million – explicitly do not apply “to any NFL football-related injury suffered by the player while performing services under this contract that is in any way related to a worsening, aggravation or reoccurrence of the preexisting right knee injury, in the sole opinion of the team physician, which shall be final and binding.”

This means that the Patriots will not owe Diggs any money if he tears his ACL again or worsens the old injury.

In addition, New England reportedly has the option to terminate the contract if Diggs does not pass a medical check.

According to the report, such a clause is rather “unusual” in the league-wide comparison.