Diggs finds firm footing with nod to ‘Super Freak’

Add “Super Freak” to the list of adjectives to describe Stefon Diggs’ league-leading receiving numbers.

The Buffalo wide receiver gave a nod to Rick James by having the Buffalo-born funk artist’s likeness painted on his cleats for a 44-34 win over Seattle on Nov. 8.

It was a game in which Diggs had nine catches for 118 yards, his second-highest total in his first season with the Bills after being acquired in a trade from Minnesota in March.

Diggs comes up with a fresh design for his cleats for each game based on where it’s played, and the James idea struck him after a trip to the dentist, of all places.

“I had a root canal and was getting a cap on, when (the dentist) said, ‘Did you know Rick James was from Buffalo?’” Diggs said. “I said, ‘No, I did not.’ And boom, guess what, a cleat idea.”

James, who changed his name from James Ambrose Johnson Jr., was born and grew up in Buffalo. He died of heart failure at age 56 in 2004 and is buried in Buffalo’s historic Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Diggs hasn’t had to borrow a line from another James classic, “Give It To Me Baby,” based on his eye-popping production.

The sixth-year player leads the NFL with 73 catches and 906 yards through 10 games for the AFC East-leading Bills (7-3), who entered their bye this week.

Diggs is in position to shatter several single-season franchise marks. Eric Moulds holds the Bills’ records for yards receiving (1,368 in 1998) and catches (100, in 2002).

■ Saints: Quarterback Trevor Siemian was signed off Tennessee’s practice squad. A seventh-round draft pick by Denver in 2015, Siemian became the Broncos’ starter after Peyton Manning retired and Brock Osweiler signed with Houston. After two years, Siemian was traded to Minnesota. He then spent 2019 as a New York Jets backup. The 28-year-old is 13-12 in 25 NFL starts.

■ Jets: Quarterback Sam Darnold (shoulder) will be sidelined for a second straight game, but coach Adam Gase is optimistic the 23-year-old will return in Week 12. His 65.9 passer rating this season is the worst in the NFL among quarterbacks who have made at least four starts.

■ Titans: Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (knee) was placed on injured reserve, safety Kenny Vacarro (concussion) was ruled out for Sunday, and free-agent quarterback DeShone Kizer was signed to the practice squad.

■ Bengals: Running back Joe Mixon (foot) was placed on IR. The 24-year-old hasn’t played since Week 6 and will miss at least three more games.

■ Cowboys: Center Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) was placed on IR, and left offensive tackle Brandon Knight (knee) was activated from IR.

■ Colts: Defensive tackle Denico Autry was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The 30-year-old has a team-high six sacks this season.