Patriots say criminal cases facing Diggs, Barmore won't distract them ahead of regular-season finale

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.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) passes as New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) applies pressure during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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)

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) runs against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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)

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Brady Cook will get the start at quarterback in the New York Jets' season finale at Buffalo.

It will be the fourth consecutive game in which the undrafted rookie will open under center for the Jets, who try to end a four-game skid Sunday when they face the Bills.

“I want to give him another chance to go out there and play,” coach Aaron Glenn said before practice Wednesday.

When asked if he thinks Cook gives New York the best opportunity to come away with a victory, Glenn said flatly: “He gives us the best chance to win.

Cook, signed after the draft by the Jets out of Missouri in May, was pressed into starting duty earlier this month because of injuries to Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields. He has one touchdown pass and seven interceptions while averaging 5.2 yards per throw. In the Jets' 42-10 loss to New England last Sunday, Cook was 19 of 33 for 152 yards and an interception.

“I’ve learned a lot from a quarterback perspective, from a leader perspective being on this team and starting games for the first time, and I’ve learned that it is still football,” Cook said. “It’s the game that we’ve played our entire life. It’s a kids' game, it’s a complicated one, it’s imperfect, but it’s the game we love and you still have to have fun doing it.

"And that’s kind of the message this week is: let's go have fun.”

Taylor was dealing with knee and groin issues the past few weeks but was inactive against the Patriots because of a personal matter. Glenn said Taylor was back with the team Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Fields' season is over after he was placed on injured reserve last week with a knee issue that sidelined him for three previous games after he was benched in favor of Taylor.

The Jets are likely to target a quarterback in free agency or the draft — or both — and Fields and Taylor could land elsewhere in the offseason. Cook, who became the first undrafted rookie to start at quarterback for the Jets since Bill Demory in 1973, has said he is just trying to take advantage of what has been a surprising opportunity. He could also be auditioning for a future backup role with the Jets.

“I would like to look at that at the end of the season,” Glenn said. “He still has another game left, so we'll see what happens with this game, see how he operates.”

With the Jets 3-13, Glenn's job security has been questioned by some fans and media. The team's minus-107 point differential in December is an NFL record for the worst mark in the month.

After New York's loss to New England, the coach said he and owner Woody Johnson have been on the same page throughout the season as far as sharing his vision for building a foundation for the franchise and establishing the team's “brand” of football.

“I want to beat the Bills,” Glenn said when asked of his mindset entering the season finale. “That's what I'm thinking about. That's it.”

Running backs Breece Hall (knee) and Isaiah Davis (concussion), tight end Mason Taylor (neck), right guard Joe Tippmann (hip), offensive lineman Xavier Newman (knee), cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers (knee) and defensive lineman Micheal Clemons (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday while dealing with injuries and will be evaluated through the week.

Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (knee) and tight end Jelani Woods (hamstring) were limited.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn talks to the media during a news conference following a loss to the New England Patriots in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook (4) dives for a fumble against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin)

New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook passes against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)