Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs was charged Thursday with two misdemeanors stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident at his home near Green Bay in May, more than three months after his initial arrest.
Brown County District Attorney David L. Lasee announced the charges of misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. He said the delay in filing formal charges reflected a fair and complete review of available evidence, some of which only recently became available due to ongoing forensic work by law enforcement. He noted that a criminal complaint is a formal accusation and does not imply guilt, and that Jacobs is presumed innocent. He said his office would not comment further on an ongoing case.
Both charges are Class A misdemeanors. If convicted, each carries a maximum fine of $10,000, a maximum of nine months in prison, or both.
What the complaint says
According to the criminal complaint, a woman identified as Jacobs’ girlfriend told officers she had been looking through his phone, saw messages involving other women and became upset, throwing his phone. She told him he could look through her phone and asked him to call a car to take her to Chicago. When she tried to retrieve her phone, the complaint states he did not return it and grabbed her arm, beginning a physical struggle that lasted several minutes.
The complaint further states that when the woman was attempting to leave through the garage, he grabbed her and threw her to the ground and she struck her head, suffering an injury. A responding police officer observed redness to her face and neck and felt a bump on the back of her head. She said she was in pain from the injuries. She also said he did not return one of her phones and damaged the other.
The complaint notes that surveillance footage exists from the camera system inside the garage but not from inside the residence.
The attorneys’ response
His legal team, David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld and Clarence F. Duchac III, said in a statement that the charges filed do not include domestic violence and that the allegations will be addressed in court. The attorneys said Jacobs respects the district attorney’s office and the process it followed.
The NFL’s role
The NFL is conducting its own investigation and has the authority to suspend Jacobs at any point, either before the legal process concludes or after. The league’s spokesperson said the matter remains under review and the league has been closely monitoring developments.
The Packers said they are aware of the charges and are cooperating with the NFL. General manager Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday the team has enough running back depth to carry an extra player if needed. The team currently plans to keep MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks as backups behind Jacobs, with Pierre Strong Jr. as a potential fourth option.
The prior arrest
Jacobs was originally arrested on May 26 by the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department on multiple counts including battery with domestic abuse designation, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct and intimidation of a victim. The original arrest also included a charge of strangulation and suffocation, which was a felony. The formal charges filed Thursday are limited to two misdemeanors.
The Packers open the 2026 season Sept. 13 at the Minnesota Vikings. Jacobs is scheduled for an initial court appearance Nov. 17.
