Josh Jacobs charged with two misdemeanors as Packers prep for Week 1
Green Bay Packers star running back Josh Jacobs was charged Thursday with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property, according to Wisconsin court records. The filing comes more than three months after his May arrest and less than three weeks before the Packers open the 2026 season at Minnesota—raising immediate questions about whether Jacobs will be available when Green Bay needs its top back to help the Packers score in Week 1.
Both counts are Class A misdemeanors, each carrying a maximum fine of $10,000, up to nine months in prison, or both if convicted. Jacobs is scheduled for an initial court appearance on Nov. 17, well after the Sept. 13 season opener against the Vikings.
Key Takeaways
- Jacobs faces misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges filed Thursday in Brown County, Wisconsin.
- Prosecutors dropped a felony strangulation charge from his original May arrest; his lawyers note the filed counts do not include domestic violence.
- The NFL is reviewing the case and could suspend Jacobs or place him on the Commissioner's Exempt List before Week 1.
- The Packers said they are aware of the charges and will cooperate with the league but declined further comment.
- GM Brian Gutekunst has said Green Bay could keep an extra running back if Jacobs misses time to start the season.
What happened in the Josh Jacobs case?
According to the criminal complaint cited by ESPN, the incident stems from a May 23 dispute at Jacobs' home near Green Bay. Jacobs was arrested May 26 and spent one night in jail before being released the next day.
Police initially booked him on five counts, including a felony strangulation charge that prosecutors later dropped. The complaint alleges Jacobs grabbed his girlfriend's arm during a struggle over phones, then threw her to the ground as she tried to exit his garage, causing a head injury. Officers noted redness on her face and neck and a bump on the back of her head.
Brown County District Attorney David L. Lasee said his office completed a thorough evidence review before filing. Jacobs' attorneys said the allegations will be addressed in court, not in the media.
How could the charges affect the Packers score in Week 1?
Jacobs is Green Bay's primary running back and a central piece of an offense the team views as championship-caliber. If the NFL acts before the opener, the Packers would lean on MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, and possibly Pierre Strong Jr.—a group with limited starting experience behind Jacobs.
Gutekunst told reporters Wednesday the club has prepared for a possible suspension and could keep a fourth running back on the 53-man roster, with final cuts due Sunday. Trade speculation has also surfaced, with analysts floating names like Arizona's James Conner as a short-term option, though no deal has been reported.
Will Josh Jacobs face an NFL suspension?
The league is conducting its own investigation. NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said Thursday the matter remains under review. Commissioner Roger Goodell can suspend Jacobs before the legal process concludes or wait until after his Nov. 17 court date.
Jacobs practiced through training camp after his May arrest. The Commissioner's Exempt List—paid leave while a case is pending—remains one possible outcome as the league weighs its personal conduct policy.
What did the Green Bay Packers say?
The team released a brief statement Thursday afternoon: "We are aware of the charges brought against Josh Jacobs. We will continue to cooperate with the NFL as we work through the process. We will have no further comment at this time." The same statement appeared in the team's official Inbox column on Packers.com.
For more breaking developments on athletes and entertainment figures, follow our Celebrity Breaking News coverage as the Jacobs case and Green Bay's roster decisions unfold ahead of kickoff.