Who is Stefon Diggs? Patriots player facing criminal charges
New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs is facing criminal charges for felony strangulation or suffocation, along with misdemeanor assault, according to online court records.
The charges were filed Monday, Dec. 29, in Dedham, Massachusetts, District Court and stemmed from an alleged incident on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
Diggs, 32, has since denied the allegations, according to a Dec. 30 statement from the Patriots.
"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 statement reads. "We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary."
The NFL has said that it's aware of the situation. "We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club," the league said in a statement. "We have no further comment at this time."
Diggs is currently scheduled to be arraigned in court on Friday, Jan. 23 – just two days before the AFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 25. The judge did say she would consider moving the arraignment to March.
With the Patriots clinching a spot in the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 season, Diggs' involvement in the playoffs – or a possible Patriots appearance in the AFC Championship game – remains up in the air.
According to Boston 25, Diggs' attorney Michael DiStefano argued for the details of the case to remain sealed during a remote appearance in Dedham District Court on Dec. 30. DiStefano also revealed that Diggs and the alleged victim are currently in discussion to resolve the dispute with a financial offer.
How long has Stefon Diggs been with the Patriots? What are his stats
After playing football at the University of Maryland, Diggs was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015, and he has since played for the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans before signing with the Patriots in March 2025.
Though the 32-year-old wide receiver has only been with the Patriots for one season, he has made his mark on the team, recording 82 receptions, 970 yards and four touchdowns across 17 games so far this season.
What is Stefon Diggs relationship with rapper Cardi B
In November of this year, Diggs welcomed a baby boy with rapper Cardi B.
"Congratulations @iamcardib & @stefondiggs on welcoming the newest @patriots fan into the world," the NFL wrote on Instagram after the birth announcement.
When she was pregnant, Cardi B told Gayle King on "CBS Mornings," that Diggs made her feel secure.
"He just makes me feel safe and very confident and very strong," Cardi said. "I feel like I'm in a good space. I feel very strong. I feel very powerful that I'm doing all this work. But I'm doing all this work while I'm creating a baby, and me and my man, we're very supportive of each other."
Diggs has featured in several posts on her Instagram made in the last three weeks. And in an X post on Dec. 29, she was calling Diggs "my man" in response to criticism about them spending Christmas apart.
How many kids does Stefon Diggs have?
Stefon Diggs has three confirmed kids. In addition to his newborn with Cardi B, he welcomed another baby in April 2025 with model Aileen Lopera named Charliee Harper Diggs-Lopera.
He also has an older daughter Nova, born in October 2016, that's been spotted cheering for him at several games.