A surprisingly fun Patriots season was clouded Tuesday by legal charges against one of the team’s best players.

Patriots fans have questions about Stefon Diggs’ status and much more. Let’s answer them in this week’s mailbag.

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@BManHereSports: Obviously it’s all about Diggs now.

The final week of the season will be all about Diggs with the Patriots wide receiver facing criminal charges of strangulation or suffocation, and assault and battery.

The Patriots released a statement, saying Diggs “categorically denies the allegations.” Diggs’ agent told the Herald, in a statement, that Diggs “unequivocally denies the allegation.” The NFL said, in a statement, “We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club. We have no further comment at this time.”

An arraignment is set for Jan. 23, two days before the AFC Championship Game.

The NFL has put players on the commissioner’s exempt list in similar situations, however. That happened with Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers last season four days after being arrested and pleading not guilty on assault, strangulation and drug charges. Peppers was removed from the commissioner’s exempt list after seven games, because the baseline suspension for a violation of the personal conduct policy involving the actions for which he was accused is six games.

There is one game left in the regular season. The Patriots will play at least one playoff game and up to four games in the postseason.

Obviously, there are bigger matters at play here, but if Diggs is placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, it hurts the Patriots’ offense in a major way. The Patriots are already without wide receiver Mack Hollins until the AFC Championship Game. If Diggs also misses time due to his legal matter, it leaves the Patriots with wide receivers Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism on the 53-man roster, and Jeremiah Webb, John Jiles and Brandon Smith on the practice squad.

Boutte, Douglas, Williams and Chism would need to step up in a major way, but offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels would likely mix in different personnel packages, as well, to get tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper along with running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson on the field as much as possible. The Patriots would also likely lean heavily into the run game with a jumbo tight end, whether that’s Vederian Lowe or Thayer Munford Jr., and fullback Jack Westover in the offense, as well.

@mkrodik: Chances the front office wants the other diggs too?

Diggs’ brother, cornerback Trevon Diggs, was released by the Cowboys on Tuesday.

The Patriots could use some cornerback help, but Trevon Diggs would be due $472,000 this season, if claimed.

Perhaps the Patriots would still do it, but with Stefon Diggs’ current legal situation, it at least feels less likely. That amount of money is also a lot for one game, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Trevon Diggs clear waivers and then perhaps sign with a team.

He did struggle this season with the Cowboys, but he’s a two-time Pro Bowl selection, and he had 11 interceptions back in 2021.

@TheJigStillUp: What players are we getting back from injury? How does the Chargers choosing to lose this next game affect seeding?

First off, both left tackle Will Campbell and defensive tackle Milton Williams are eligible to be activated off injured reserve. The Patriots released two players — center Brenden Jaimes and cornerback Miles Battle — from the 53-man roster Monday, so it seems inevitable that both players will be back this week.

Boutte (concussion), outside linebacker Harold Landry (knee), linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle), defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (foot) and left guard Jared Wilson (concussion) also missed Sunday’s win over the Jets.

If Boutte and Wilson are cleared, then they could return this week against the Dolphins. The Patriots will need all of the receiver help they can get.

It wouldn’t be shocking if the Patriots decided to be overly cautious with Landry, Spillane and Tonga, however, to get them healthy for the playoffs.

@TB12BBGoat: What position can be a concern for the patriots going into the playoff?

It wasn’t a concern all season, but with Diggs’ current status, wide receiver is up there. Boutte, Douglas, Williams and Chism have all had solid moments this season, but Diggs and Hollins have been Drake Maye’s most dependable wide receivers.

@FamousViolist: Does Henderson have a real chance to win OROY?

He’d have to have a pretty monster final game of the season. He’s currently third in offensive rookie of the year betting odds at +1000, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, behind Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.

Henderson would likely need to go for over 100 yards in the Patriots’ regular-season finale to gain enough steam for the postseason honor.

@maajlr: Is Vrabel a favorite for COTY?

Vrabel, at -140, is currently the coach of the year favorite. It’s a loaded group with the 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan, Seahawks’ Mike Macdonald, the Jaguars’ Liam Coen, the Bears’ Ben Johnson and the Broncos’ Sean Payton all deserving.

But Vrabel is the favorite for a reason. The Patriots were in terrible shape until Vrabel showed up and pulled them out of the gutter.

@TheChowdaCrowd: If Maye wins MVP and Vrabel wins COY; how drastically does this team change in the offseason as far as paying suck tax, to guys potentially taking discounts to play here.

I’m not quite sure if players will be willing to take a discount to play with the Patriots, but Maye is good enough that guys around the league will probably want to play with him because he’s now a proven winner who can elevate their games.

@DavidNorrish: What are the odds that LV takes another swing of the Josh McDaniels bat? Now with Brady there could he be lured for absurd money?

That would be an impossible sell for Raiders fans after McDaniels didn’t even make it two seasons in his first tenure there as head coach. It would also be an impossible sell for McDaniels.

If McDaniels gets another head coaching opportunity, it could take years.