• Stefon Diggs charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery
• Incident occurred December 2, day after Patriots defeated Giants on Monday Night Football
• Arraignment scheduled January 23, two days before potential AFC Championship game

BOSTON, MA (TDR) — New England Patriots star wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing serious criminal charges including felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery stemming from an incident in Dedham, Massachusetts earlier this month. Court documents filed Monday in Dedham District Court reveal charges against the 32-year-old veteran receiver.

The alleged incident occurred December 2, the day after the Patriots defeated the New York Giants 33-15 on Monday Night Football. Diggs had three catches for 26 yards in that game. No additional details about the allegations have been publicly disclosed, and the police report remains sealed pending a judge’s decision.

Diggs Denies Allegations, Patriots Express Support

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Diggs categorically denies the allegations, according to a statement from the New England Patriots. The team released a statement Tuesday expressing support for their star receiver.

“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,” the team said. “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.”

Diggs did not appear in court Tuesday. His attorneys from Boston firm Todd & Weld participated remotely in a motion hearing at Dedham District Court, seeking to have the police report impounded. The lawyers argued that “substantial risk of widespread publicity” could taint the case if records weren’t sealed.

Arraignment Scheduled During Playoff Run

Diggs is scheduled to be arraigned Friday, January 23, just two days before the AFC Championship game is scheduled to be played on January 25. The timing could not be more precarious for both Diggs and the Patriots, who currently hold the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.

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The Patriots have one game remaining in the regular season—Sunday’s matchup at Gillette Stadium against the Miami Dolphins. It remains unclear whether Diggs will be available for the game or if the team plans any immediate roster changes pending the legal proceedings.

Productive Season Despite ACL Recovery

The veteran receiver signed a three-year contract with New England in March worth up to $69 million after spending 2024 with the Houston Texans. Diggs has delivered a highly productive season for a receiver coming off a torn ACL suffered in October 2024.

Through 16 games this season, Diggs has recorded 82 catches for 970 yards and four touchdowns. The 11-year NFL veteran contributed 101 receiving yards and a touchdown in last week’s 42-10 victory over the Jets, helping the Patriots secure the AFC East title for the first time since 2019.

In Sunday’s win, Diggs earned a $500,000 contract bonus by reaching 80 receptions for the season. He remains 30 yards shy of another $500,000 incentive that triggers at 1,000 receiving yards.

Decorated Career Spans Four Teams

Over his 11-year career, Diggs has played for the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans and Patriots. He was originally drafted by Minnesota in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft, becoming a full-time starter midway through his rookie season despite his late-round selection.

Diggs earned widespread recognition with the Buffalo Bills, where he broke franchise records and earned Pro Bowl honors. In 2020, he led the NFL with 127 receptions and 1,535 receiving yards, earning First Team All-Pro recognition. He owns the two highest single-season receiving yards totals in Bills history with 1,535 yards in 2020 and 1,429 in 2022.

The Maryland product has recorded six consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards receiving from 2018-2023 and four consecutive seasons with over 100 receptions from 2020-2023. He has been selected to four Pro Bowls throughout his career.

Previous Off-Field Incident

Before the 2025 season began, Diggs made headlines when a viral video showed him partying on a boat and handing out an unknown substance. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the incident with Diggs privately.

“I had a conversation with [Vrabel], obviously. He told me he hopes everyone is making good decisions,” Diggs said in June. “I had some conversations with people in the building as well. Everything else is everything else. The particulars are all internal.”

Diggs is dating rapper Cardi B, who recently announced she was having a baby with the wide receiver. The baby was born in November. Diggs also has two daughters from previous relationships—one born in 2016 and another born in April 2025 with model Aileen Lopera.

Will the criminal charges derail Stefon Diggs’ career resurgence with the Patriots, or can he maintain his on-field performance while fighting the allegations in court?

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