GREEN BAY, Wis. Josh Jacobs expects to remain available for the Packers despite additional allegations of physical and verbal abuse made public through police records. Speaking Wednesday, the running back said he believes the six games he missed on the NFL commissioner exempt list will be the extent of his time away from competition.
The Hobart/Lawrence Police Department released evidence related to Jacobs' battery case last week following a public records request. Those documents include accounts from three women who alleged abuse in incidents dating to April 2021. The women contacted the department after learning that Jacobs had been arrested in connection with an alleged domestic violence incident in May.
Jacobs' comments came three days after his attorneys characterized the accounts as "unsupported and stale allegations." He said Wednesday that he viewed the accusations as an attack on his character and maintained that much of what was being said about him was false. He also said he had tried to avoid becoming withdrawn or angry as the case unfolded.
The criminal proceedings stemming from the May 23 incident involved a woman at Jacobs' home near Green Bay. On Sept. 10, he pleaded no contest to charges of battery and criminal destruction of property. He was convicted of battery and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. The property damage charge was addressed through a deferred judgment agreement.
Jacobs spent the first six games of the season on the commissioner exempt list before receiving clearance to return in Week 7. At the time, the NFL said its investigation into potential violations of its personal conduct policy remained unfinished. Over the weekend, the league also said it would examine the earlier allegations disclosed in the police records.
Any suspension imposed by the NFL would take into account the six games Jacobs has already missed. Jacobs said his understanding of the evidence available to him and the league left him confident that he would not lose additional playing time. He acknowledged that the NFL still must make its final decision, but said he was not approaching each week uncertain about whether he would be able to play.
The Packers have maintained their support for Jacobs as the league's review continues. Coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that the team would let the NFL complete its process and that he anticipated Jacobs remaining with the Packers moving forward.
