Stefon Diggs will not need to appear in court until after the Super Bowl. As first reported by Steve Cooper of 7 News Boston, the Patriots wide receiver's arraignment has been moved from Jan. 23 to Feb. 13.
Diggs faces charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges stemming from an incident on Dec. 2. Court documents revealed that Diggs is accused of smacking and trying to choke a woman who worked as a private chef for him over a financial disagreement.
Diggs, in a statement released through his attorney, has categorically denied the allegations. He did not elaborate or answer any further questions about the case when he met with reporters last Friday.
The Patriots said in a statement that they were aware of the accusations before they became public on Dec. 30, that they were cooperating with authorities and the NFL, and they "support Stefon."
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel reiterated that support when asked about the case on Dec. 31.
"Everybody that we care about and that we have been close to for a while, we support," Vrabel said. "And we do. We understand that there's allegations, but we also want to support each and every player, each and every coach, and each and every staff member."
The NFL said that it is aware of the matter and has been in contact with the Patriots, but the league has not taken any disciplinary action. If they wait for the legal proceedings to play out before taking any potential action, then Diggs would remain eligible to suit up for the Patriots throughout their postseason run, however long that lasts.
The Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium Sunday night in the Wild Card round.