Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs faces serious legal issues just weeks before the NFL playoffs.
Court records show that Diggs has been charged in Massachusetts with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery stemming from an alleged Dec. 2 incident, one day after New England’s “Monday Night Football” win over the Giants.
Prosecutors have not released details of the allegations, and no police report has been made public. Diggs’ attorney, Michael DiStefano, asked a judge Tuesday to seal the report, citing concerns about publicity and the disclosure of specific claims.
DiStefano also told the court that Diggs has offered a financial settlement to resolve the matter with the alleged victim, whose identity has not been disclosed. Negotiations are ongoing.
Diggs is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 23, 2026, a date that could collide with the Patriots’ playoff run. New England clinched the AFC East on Sunday, and if the team reaches the AFC Championship Game, it would be played just two days after the scheduled arraignment. A judge may consider delaying the arraignment until March.
The Patriots said they are aware of the allegations and emphasized that Diggs denies them. The team said it is standing by the receiver and cooperating with law enforcement and the NFL.
The charges could prompt a review under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. NBC Sports reported that the policy allows the league to place a player on the Commissioner Exempt List — effectively paid leave — under certain circumstances.
Under the most recent version of the NFL policy, the league outlines three situations in which a player may be placed on paid leave:
“First, when a player is formally charged with: (1) a felony offense; or (2) a crime of violence, meaning that he is accused of having used physical force or a weapon to injure or threaten a person or animal, of having engaged in a sexual assault by force or against a person who was incapable of giving consent, or having engaged in other conduct that poses a genuine danger to the safety or well-being of another person. The formal charges may be in the form of an indictment by a grand jury, the filing of charges by a prosecutor, or an arraignment in a criminal court.
“Second, when an investigation leads the Commissioner to believe that a player may have violated this Policy by committing any of the conduct identified above, he may act where the circumstances and evidence warrant doing so. This decision will not reflect a finding of guilt or innocence and will not be guided by the same legal standards and considerations that would apply in a criminal trial.
“Third, in cases in which a violation relating to a crime of violence is alleged but further investigation is required, the Commissioner may place a player on the Commissioner Exempt List on a limited and temporary basis to permit the league to conduct a preliminary investigation. Based on the results of this investigation, the player may be returned to duty, be placed on the Commissioner Exempt List for a longer period or be subject to discipline.”
The league has broad discretion to use, or not use, paid leave. Without knowing more about the accusations, it’s impossible to even begin to assess whether the league would decide that the current situation justifies removing Diggs from the field.
It is unclear whether the league will seek access to the police report that Diggs’ attorneys want sealed, a decision that could determine whether a comprehensive NFL review proceeds.
Diggs has been a key contributor for New England, helping ensure the Patriots secured one of the top playoff seeds. He remains a central part of the 13-3 offense, having recorded 82 receptions for 970 yards this season.
Diggs has also drawn attention off the field over the past year amid a high-profile relationship with Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B. Rumors linking the two began circulating in late 2024, and by June 2025, they had made the relationship public through appearances and social media posts.
What’s Known and Unknown
Known:
Diggs faces a felony charge of strangulation or suffocation and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge related to a Dec. 2 incident. His arraignment is scheduled for late January.
Unknown:
Prosecutors have not released details of the alleged incident, and it remains unclear whether the NFL will act while the legal process unfolds.
For now, Diggs remains on the Patriots’ roster as the case proceeds in court.
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