New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing serious legal challenges that have cast a shadow over the team’s postseason prospects.
Court filings indicate Diggs is charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery stemming from an alleged off-field incident on Dec. 2, just one day after the Patriots’ Monday night victory over the New York Giants.
According to court documents reported by several local news outlets, Diggs’ personal chef claims he physically assaulted her during a dispute over payment and required her to sign a nondisclosure agreement to receive further compensation.
Authorities have yet to release additional details.
Court records from Dedham District Court show Diggs’ arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 23, a date that could complicate the Patriots’ playoff preparations.
The timing places the team and the league in a delicate position, particularly if disciplinary action is required under the NFL’s personal conduct policy, CBS News reports.
Diggs’ legal team filed a motion seeking to keep the police report sealed. His attorney, David Meier, strongly denied the allegations.
“Stefon Diggs categorically denies these allegations. They are unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were never investigated—because they did not occur,” Meier said.
The NFL has confirmed awareness of the case and is in contact with the Patriots.
Chief league spokesman Brian McCarthy declined to comment further, emphasizing that the matter is under review.
Depending on the outcome, Diggs could be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, sidelining him indefinitely while legal proceedings continue.
The Patriots issued a concise statement acknowledging the charges.
“Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations,” the team said, per Trending Politics. “We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement and the league while refraining from further comment due to the ongoing nature of the case.”
For New England, the situation comes at a critical moment.
Diggs, in his first season with the Patriots, has been a central figure in the offense after signing a three-year, $69 million contract with $26 million guaranteed.
Despite recovering from a torn ACL last season with the Houston Texans, he has recorded 82 receptions for 970 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games, emerging as a key target for rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
Adding to the tension, Diggs’ scheduled court appearance falls just two days before the AFC Championship Game, should the Patriots advance.
The timing raises questions about roster availability and potential league-imposed restrictions during a pivotal period of the season.
Off-field issues are not new for Diggs. Earlier this year, a viral video circulated showing him on a boat distributing an unidentified substance.
While the incident did not result in formal discipline, Diggs acknowledged internal discussions with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel at the time.
Diggs’ personal life has also remained in the spotlight. He is dating rapper Cardi B, who gave birth to their child last month.
The current legal proceedings now threaten to overshadow what had been one of the league’s most notable comeback seasons.
League officials and team executives are monitoring developments closely. Both potential disciplinary actions and the Patriots’ playoff strategy hang in the balance as the case moves through the court system.
The outcome could have far-reaching implications for Diggs’ career and the team’s postseason ambitions.
