12/31/25 03:35:00
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12/31 15:33 CST Patriots say criminal cases facing Diggs, Barmore won't
distract them ahead of regular-season finale
Patriots say criminal cases facing Diggs, Barmore won't distract them ahead of
regular-season finale
By KYLE HIGHTOWER
AP Sports Writer
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) --- New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he's
confident criminal cases against receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive lineman
Christian Barmore won't be a distraction for his team this week as it chases
the AFC's top seed in the playoffs.
Diggs is facing strangulation and other criminal charges in connection with a
dispute with his former private chef. Barmore is facing a misdemeanor domestic
assault and battery charge after his girlfriend told police he threw her to the
ground in August at his home outside Boston.
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's top seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye.
"I think these are allegations. ... Things that we have to handle," Vrabel
said. "Every day there are distractions, some are smaller than others. I'm
confident that we'll focus on the Dolphins. And those two individuals (Diggs
and Barmore) will be able to handle the ongoing legal process."
Vrabel said Barmore is dealing with an illness and was not with the team for
practice on Wednesday. Diggs didn't speak with reporters 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.
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's Personal Conduct
Policy.
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.
Diggs and Barmore's teammates said things were business as usual as the team
returned to the practice field.
"They're our brothers no matter what. And at the end of the day we're focused
on the Dolphins," right tackle Morgan Moses said.
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.
"In the role that he's played in this locker room as a leader is one that no
one else can compare to," Moses said. "He 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's what we look for. That's our guy. He has a situation that he's
going to handle. For us in this locker room we're just going to take take it
one day at a time and continue playing."
News of the charges against Diggs emerged after a court hearing 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.
The Patriots voiced their support for Diggs in a statement Tuesday after the
allegations became public.
"We've made a statement and we've taken the allegations very seriously," Vrabel
said. "I don't think we have to jump to any sort of conclusions right now. Let
the process take its toll."
Diggs' lawyer, David Meier, said in an emailed statement that Diggs
"categorically denies these allegations." Meier described the allegations as
unsubstantiated and uncorroborated.
A court arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 23 for Diggs.
Meier also represents Barmore and the attorney issued a statement Wednesday
saying the evidence in the Barmore case "will demonstrate that no criminal
conduct took place."
Barmore's arraignment is scheduled for early February.
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.
___
AP reporters Mike Casey in Boston, and Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania contributed.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
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