GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs was arrested May 26, resulting from a domestic dispute three days earlier.
Jacobs faces possible charges of battery – domestic abuse, criminal damage of property – domestic abuse, disorderly conduct – domestic abuse, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim, according to a press release from Chief Michael Renkas of the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department. He remains in police custody.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation,” the release stated. “No further information will be released at this time.”
Officers from the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department were dispatched at 8:37 a.m. May 23 to a disturbance complaint that ultimately led to the charges, according to the release.
Jacobs, entering his third season with the Packers, was a team captain last season. He could be subject to discipline from the league under the personal conduct policy requiring all players, coaches, owners and employees to refrain from any “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in” the NFL.
For violations involving domestic violence, a first-time violation will subject the violator to a baseline suspension without pay for six games, with possible upward or downward adjustments based on any aggravating or mitigating factors, according to the policy.
“Josh vehemently denies the allegations, and this matter is in the early stages of investigation with important evidence that has not yet been made public,” Jacobs’ attorneys David Chesnoff, Richard Schonfeld and Clarence Duchac said in a statement. “We ask for fairness and restraint while the judicial process takes its course.”
Jacobs signed with the Packers as a free agent before the 2024 season. The NFL’s rushing leader while with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, Jacobs’ 1,329 rushing yards in his first season with the Packers was fifth most in team history. He had 929 rushing yards in 15 games while battling injury last season.
“We are aware of the matter involving Josh Jacobs,” a Packers spokesperson said in a statement given to PackersNews. “As it is an ongoing legal situation, we will withhold further comment.”
What’s the Packers’ running back situation?
Entering his age-28 season, Jacobs is by far the Packers’ most experienced running back. The team let top backup Emanuel Wilson walk in free agency this spring. Wilson eventually signed with the Seattle Seahawks. Behind Jacobs, 2024 third-round draft pick MarShawn Lloyd figures to be in line as Jacobs’ primary backup. Lloyd has played only 10 snaps in his first two seasons with injuries derailing the start of his career.
The Packers expect a bounce-back season from Jacobs after he was hampered by a left knee injury down the stretch last fall, but now the team will monitor their running back’s legal situation.
“He’s a very important cog in what we’re trying to do here,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said after last season.
This story has been updated with new information.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers’ Josh Jacobs arrested, jailed on domestic abuse charges
Reporting by Ryan Wood, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Packers News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
