New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing a felony charge of strangulation and a misdemeanor charge of assault following an alleged incident earlier this month.
A motion hearing took place Tuesday morning at Dedham District Court in Massachusetts. The hearing focused on whether court documents related to the case should remain sealed ahead of Diggs’ scheduled arraignment on January 23.
That date falls the Friday before the AFC Championship Game.
Allegations and court proceedings
According to court records, the charges stem from an alleged incident on December 2. No further details have been released publicly, and a judge has yet to rule on whether the documents will be impounded.
The timing of the arraignment has already drawn attention given the Patriots’ position in the playoff race.
Diggs has not appeared in court yet and has not spoken publicly. His legal team, however, issued a strong denial.
Diggs and Patriots respond
Diggs’ attorney David Meier said the accusations lack any factual basis.
“Stefon Diggs categorically denies these allegations,” Meier said. “They are unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were never investigated — because they did not occur.”
Meier added that Diggs plans to contest the claims in court.
“The timing and motivation for making the allegations is crystal clear: they are the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction,” he said. “Stefon looks forward to establishing the truth in a court of law.”
The New England Patriots also released a statement backing their receiver.
“The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs,” the team said. “Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon.”
The team added that it will cooperate with authorities and the NFL while gathering more information.
NFL monitoring situation
The NFL confirmed it is aware of the case.
“We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club,” the league said. “We have no further comment at this time.”
According to The Boston Globe, Diggs’ defense team argued that public access to details could create “substantial risk of widespread publicity” that may affect the case. The same report noted that his lawyers are exploring a monetary resolution.
Diggs, 32, leads the Patriots in receiving with 82 catches for 970 yards and four touchdowns. New England sits at 13–3 and closes the regular season this weekend against the Miami Dolphins.
The team will then enter the AFC playoffs.
Cardi B addresses speculation
Away from the field, Diggs has also been pulled into public discussion surrounding his relationship with Cardi B.
The Grammy-winning artist addressed speculation online after fans questioned Diggs’ absence from her Christmas posts. The couple welcomed their first child together in November.
Cardi B urged followers to “calm down” and pushed back at comments asking her to “leave my man” or questioning their relationship status.
