Josh Jacobs Reinstated by NFL and Back on the Field; League Investigation Still Open
Update: Police records released last week showed three women came forward with earlier allegations after Jacobs' May arrest. His attorneys call them "unsupported and stale," the NFL is reviewing them, and Matt LaFleur said he expects Jacobs to remain with the team.
Josh Jacobs returned to Packers practice Tuesday, taking 11-on-11 reps with the starting offense, a week after his May 26 arrest on domestic-violence-related charges. The Brown County District Attorney has not decided whether to file formal charges, and has asked for additional investigation. Matt LaFleur called Jacobs' involvement 'business as usual.'
Where does the legal case stand?
Undecided. The Brown County DA has not filed formal charges and requested more investigation, stating there is 'reason to believe that additional evidence may exist that would impact whether criminal charges are appropriate.' Jacobs was arrested May 26 on charges including battery (domestic abuse), criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim, stemming from a May 23 incident. His legal team says he 'vehemently denies the allegations.'
Why is he practicing if the case is open?
Because no charges have been filed and the NFL has not acted. Without formal charges or a league suspension, there's no mechanism currently keeping Jacobs off the field, and the Packers have chosen to let him participate. The commissioner's exempt list remains an option for the NFL if the situation escalates, but as of now Jacobs is a full participant. LaFleur framed it as 'business as usual,' which is the team signaling it won't get ahead of the legal process.
How is the locker room handling it?
Publicly, with support. Quarterback Jordan Love said, 'It's great to have Josh here with us, being able to work with us and get back to work.' Safety Xavier McKinney was more direct: 'That's my guy. We're all in support of him, and we understand things happen.' LaFleur and veterans said the situation has been discussed internally and has not been a distraction. The unified public messaging is notable given the seriousness of the allegations.
What's the stakes for Green Bay?
Significant. Jacobs is the Packers' lead back and scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025, a central piece of the offense built around Jordan Love. The football and the legal questions are now running on parallel tracks: the team is preparing him as its starter while a prosecutor decides whether to charge him, and the NFL retains the ability to intervene under its personal conduct policy regardless of the criminal outcome. The uncertainty hangs over the entire backfield plan.
Have charges since been filed?
Yes. Prosecutors formally filed charges on Aug. 27: battery and criminal damage to property, both Class A misdemeanors. No trial date or plea has been reported. Following the Packers' preseason finale, LaFleur said, "I fully anticipate him being a member of our team," the clearest signal yet that Green Bay intends to keep Jacobs on the roster as the case proceeds.
Why isn't he playing?
The NFL placed Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list on Aug. 30, the day after charges were filed. He is paid but cannot practice or attend games while the league completes its own review. He missed the Week 1 loss at Minnesota, and the Packers have said they hope he can play at some point this season.
How did the criminal case end?
Jacobs pleaded no contest on Sept. 10 in Brown County Circuit Court to both misdemeanors. Judge Marc A. Hammer imposed a $1,000 fine plus costs on the battery count and a deferred judgment on the property-damage count with five conditions, including no further criminal acts, no contact with the victim, supervision and counseling, and restitution. With the court case resolved, the remaining question is league discipline under the personal conduct policy; a suspension is widely expected once he comes off the exempt list.
What was filed this week?
Attorneys for Jacobs' former girlfriend asked the court to permanently seal the evidence and discovery in the case, including surveillance video from the garage of Jacobs' home from the May 23 incident, saying the request is "consistent with our client's desire to protect her privacy" now that Jacobs has accepted responsibility. Hammer had already issued a temporary seal before the plea. No ruling or hearing date has been set.
What did the judge decide?
Brown County Judge Marc A. Hammer denied the request to permanently seal the case file, in an order that takes effect Friday and hands future public-records decisions to the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department. ESPN and other outlets must resubmit their requests for the surveillance video and investigative materials, the department will decide what to release, and both the former girlfriend and Jacobs can appeal before anything is made public. The NFL would need to file its own request to obtain the video for its review. Jacobs' sentence on the no-contest plea was a $1,000 fine, counseling, a year of supervision, restitution and a no-contact order, with judgment deferred on the property-damage count.
What did Jacobs file?
A civil suit in Brown County Circuit Court seeking a permanent injunction and protective order under the state's records law, filed the day after the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department approved releasing certain records with redactions. The suit argues redactions would not protect the woman involved, citing her request to protect her "privacy, dignity, personal security," and says AI tools could identify her from the video. It also argues the footage would expose his garage's layout and security at a time when athletes' homes have been targeted by burglars. The filing and a separate appeal have put the release on hold. The NFL wants the video for its review, and any suspension would credit his time on the exempt list.
Is he playing again?
Yes. The NFL announced on Oct. 16 that Jacobs would come off the commissioner's exempt list the following Monday, and he carried 11 times for 36 yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss at Detroit after missing the first six games. The league's investigation has not concluded and no suspension has been imposed. The baseline under the personal conduct policy for domestic battery is six games; if Jacobs is suspended, he would receive credit for the games he missed while on paid leave, and the league has said it reserves the right to add discipline after reviewing the video, which his lawsuit is trying to keep sealed.
What are the new allegations?
Records released by the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department showed that three women came forward after Jacobs' May 23 arrest with allegations of physical and verbal abuse from several years earlier. They are allegations, not charges. The Packers said they learned of them only when the records were released. Jacobs' attorneys called them "unsupported and stale allegations." The NFL has not closed its investigation and is reviewing the new claims; the six games Jacobs spent on the exempt list would count toward any suspension. "We're going to allow the NFL to do its process, but I would anticipate him being a member of us moving forward," LaFleur said Monday. Jacobs scored twice in Thursday's 27-19 win over Carolina.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Josh Jacobs at Packers practice as prosecutors mull charges
- ESPN: Matt LaFleur: 'Fully anticipate' Josh Jacobs being on team amid charges
- NFL.com: NFL places Packers RB Josh Jacobs on Commissioner's Exempt List
- ESPN: Packers RB Josh Jacobs pleads no contest to misdemeanor charges
- ESPN: Woman in Josh Jacobs case wants evidence permanently sealed
- ESPN: Judge denies request to seal records in Josh Jacobs case
- ESPN: Packers' Josh Jacobs sues to block release of records, video of altercation
- NBC Sports: Josh Jacobs will be removed from paid leave on Monday
- ESPN: Packers sticking with RB Josh Jacobs despite latest abuse allegations
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