The New England Patriots have enjoyed a dream season, with Drake Maye emerging as a potential NFL MVP, and the addition of veteran WR Stefon Diggs has been as significant a factor as any.
The Patriots took a gamble by signing Diggs to a multi-year deal fresh off an ACL tear in Houston, but the 32-year-old has rewarded New England by starting every game and serving as a steady hand in Maye's receiving corps.
As the Patriots prepare for the playoffs, criminal charges against Diggs threaten to hang over the team.
Here's what you need to know about the charges Diggs is facing.
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Stefon Diggs charges, explained
Diggs was charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery as a result of an incident that allegedly took place on Dec. 2, Boston 25 News reported.
A former personal chef is accusing Diggs of smacking her in the face and trying to choke her over a salary dispute, TMZ reported Tuesday, citing the incident report.
Diggs' arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 23, though his lawyers were in court for a hearing Tuesday to try to delay the court date until March. Diggs' lawyers also asked a judge to keep the police record on the case sealed, Boston 25 News said.
The Patriots released a statement Tuesday explaining Diggs "categorically denies the allegations" and pledging to cooperate with authorities and the NFL:
"The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs. Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
The NFL also released a statement saying, "We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club. We have no further comment at this time."
Diggs has 970 yards and four touchdowns through 16 games this season, hauling in 82 of his 99 targets. He leads the NFL in targets, receptions and receiving yards, and he is coming off back-to-back 100-yard games.
Money is on the line for Diggs in Week 18, assuming he plays, as he is 30 yards away from a $500,000 bonus and eight catches away from another $500,000.
MORE: Updated playoff picture ahead of Week 18
What did Stefon Diggs do?
According to TMZ, Diggs' "former personal chef claims the Patriots star slapped her and tried to choke her out over a salary dispute" in early December.
"The woman claims during the conversation, Diggs became angry and smacked her across the face. She said she attempted to push him away, but he then 'tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,'" TMZ reported Tuesday.
The alleged incident took place on Dec. 2, one day after the Patriots defeated the Giants on "Monday Night Football."
Has Stefon Diggs been arrested?
Diggs was formally charged in the case, though he did not appear in court Tuesday and will not be arraigned until Jan. 23. Diggs' lawyers petitioned to move the arraignment to March, though she has not yet made a ruling.
MORE: Breaking down the Matthew Stafford vs. Drake Maye MVP debate
Will Stefon Diggs be suspended?
The NFL typically waits until legal cases are resolved before issuing suspensions, which is why Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice wasn't suspended until 2025 for an incident that occurred in March 2024.
As long as that precedent stands, there isn't any reason to expect Diggs to be suspended by the league at any point this season.
The only exception could be a scenario in which Diggs is placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List, which the NFL describes as "a special player status available to clubs only in unusual circumstances." Use of the Commissioner's Exempt List is rare, but it can allow a player to not count against a team's 53-man roster while facing serious criminal charges.
At this time, there is no reason to believe the NFL is considering placing Diggs on the Commissioner's Exempt List, meaning he is eligible to continue playing.
Patriots statement on Stefon Diggs
The Patriots issued a statement on Tuesday addressing the charges against Diggs:
"The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs. Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
The NFL also released a statement saying the league is aware of the matter and will not comment further.