Josh Jacobs is back at Packers practice while prosecutors weigh charges
Update: a judge denied the request to permanently seal the evidence, including the garage surveillance video. Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery on Sept. 10 and remains on the commissioner's exempt list while the NFL completes its review.
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.
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
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