{"id":645828,"date":"2026-01-01T15:45:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T15:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/645828\/"},"modified":"2026-01-01T15:45:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T15:45:14","slug":"patriots-say-criminal-cases-facing-diggs-barmore-wont-distract-them-ahead-of-regular-season-finale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/645828\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots say criminal cases facing Diggs, Barmore won\u2019t distract them ahead of regular-season finale"},"content":{"rendered":"

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP\/Boston 25) \u2014 New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he\u2019s confident criminal cases against receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive lineman Christian Barmore won\u2019t be a distraction<\/a> for his team this week as it chases the AFC\u2019s top seed in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Diggs is facing strangulation and other criminal charges<\/a> in connection with a dispute with his former private chef<\/a>. Barmore is facing a misdemeanor domestic assault and battery charge<\/a> after his girlfriend told police he threw her to the ground in August at his home outside Boston.<\/p>\n

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The Patriots are currently 13-3 and have already wrapped up their first AFC East title since 2019. With a victory against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and a loss or tie by the Denver Broncos against the Chargers, New England would also secure the conference\u2019s top seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think these are allegations. … Things that we have to handle,\u201d Vrabel said during a Wednesday news conference at Gillette Stadium. \u201cEvery day, there are distractions, some are smaller than others. I\u2019m confident that we\u2019ll focus on the Dolphins. And those two individuals (Diggs and Barmore) will be able to handle the ongoing legal process.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vrabel said Barmore is dealing with an illness and was not with the team for practice on Wednesday. Diggs didn\u2019t speak with reporters on Wednesday as he has typically done throughout the season. But he was in the locker room prior to practice and on the practice field with the team.<\/p>\n

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The NFL said in a statement that both players are eligible to play when the Patriots host the Dolphins. But the league is looking into the alleged incidents, saying they are being reviewed under the NFL\u2019s Personal Conduct Policy.<\/p>\n

That policy could make both players subject to placement on the Commissioner Exempt List. If placed on that list, it would prevent them from practicing or playing in games while the NFL investigates.<\/p>\n

Diggs and Barmore\u2019s teammates said things were business as usual as the team returned to the practice field.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re our brothers no matter what. And at the end of the day, we\u2019re focused on the Dolphins,\u201d right tackle Morgan Moses said.<\/p>\n

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Diggs, in particular, has been a vocal leader for the Patriots this season, giving the team energetic pregame speeches, and he has been one of the most visible players on the sideline during games.<\/p>\n

\"FILE<\/p>\n

FILE – New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) leaves the field following an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov 23, 2025, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (AP Photo\/Peter Joneleit, File)<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the role that he\u2019s played in this locker room as a leader is one that no one else can compare to,\u201d Moses said. \u201cHe carried this team on the field as a professional and as a player, as an older player showing the younger guys what to do. That\u2019s what we look for. That\u2019s our guy. He has a situation that he\u2019s going to handle. For us in this locker room, we\u2019re just going to take it one day at a time and continue playing.\u201d<\/p>\n

News of the charges against Diggs emerged after a court hearing on Tuesday in Dedham, Massachusetts. According to police, the chef told investigators that Diggs hit her and tried to choke her during a discussion about money.<\/p>\n

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\u2018To hear that crushed me\u2019: Patriots fans discouraged at Stefon Diggs accusations<\/a><\/p>\n

The Patriots voiced their support for Diggs in a statement on Tuesday after the allegations became public.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve made a statement, and we\u2019ve taken the allegations very seriously,\u201d Vrabel said. \u201cI don\u2019t think we have to jump to any sort of conclusions right now. Let the process take its toll.\u201d<\/p>\n

Diggs\u2019 lawyer, David Meier, said in an emailed statement that Diggs \u201ccategorically denies these allegations.\u201d Meier described the allegations as unsubstantiated and uncorroborated.<\/p>\n

A court arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 23 for Diggs.<\/p>\n

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Meier also represents Barmore, and the attorney issued a statement Wednesday saying the evidence in the Barmore case \u201cwill demonstrate that no criminal conduct took place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"FILE<\/p>\n

FILE – New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) warms up before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo\/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)<\/p>\n

Barmore\u2019s arraignment is scheduled for early February.<\/p>\n

Diggs, 32, joined New England before this season after a trade from Houston. He has been a standout player for the Patriots, leading the team with 82 catches and 970 yards receiving. Barmore, 26, has appeared in all 16 games this season with 15 starts. He has 26 total tackles and one sack.<\/p>\n

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