Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been officially charged with two misdemeanor offenses following his arrest in May.
The Brown County District Attorney’s office filed charges on Thursday, including battery and criminal damage to property, both categorized as Class A misdemeanors.
Jacobs was originally arrested on five counts, which included a felony charge of strangulation and suffocation. The other allegations were misdemeanors. He surrendered to authorities three days after the arrest and was released after spending one night in custody.
Charges filed against Jacobs for battery and property damage
The charges filed on Thursday stem from an incident at Jacobs’ home on May 23. Police responded to a disturbance call around 8:37 a.m., and the Packers running back has denied the accusations through his legal team.
New details from the incident emerged on Thursday when the police report was made public. According to the report, Jacobs’ girlfriend, identified as “ANM,” had been going through his phone and became upset after finding messages with other women.
When she tried to retrieve her own phone from Jacobs, the report states he refused to give it back and grabbed her arm, leading to a physical struggle that lasted several minutes. Jacobs then left the residence in a vehicle while keeping her phone, and ANM drove away in another vehicle belonging to Jacobs.
The two later returned to the residence. When ANM attempted to use her second phone, Jacobs allegedly used a derogatory term toward her and made a remark suggesting he would “do something to her.”
Police report outlines alleged altercation details
ANM tried to contact police but believed her phone service was not working. As she attempted to leave the garage with her second phone, the report says Jacobs grabbed her and threw her to the ground, causing her to hit her head and sustain an injury.
According to the report, Jacobs then took the phone from her while she was on the ground. ANM stayed there for a while before struggling to walk back into the house.
Police also indicated that Jacobs appeared to damage her phone during the incident. An officer later noticed redness on ANM’s face and neck and felt a bump on the back of her head.
Surveillance footage from cameras inside the garage reportedly supported key parts of ANM’s account, including the pair leaving the residence in separate vehicles, returning, and the altercation she described.
Packers brace for potential NFL suspension
Jacobs’ legal representatives said on Thursday that the district attorney reviewed the evidence before filing the two misdemeanor charges, which do not include domestic violence. The statement added that the allegations will be addressed in court rather than through public statements.
The NFL is conducting its own review and could suspend Jacobs. It remains unclear whether the league will take action before the season starts or wait for the legal process to unfold. Jacobs’ initial court appearance is set for Nov. 17.
“We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter, which remains under review,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said on Thursday.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said on Wednesday that Green Bay has been preparing for the possibility of a suspension while remaining confident in its running back depth.
Packers running back options behind Jacobs
Marshawn Lloyd is currently the top backup to Jacobs. The 2024 third-round pick has appeared in only one game during his first two seasons due to injuries, but he has shown promise during training camp and the preseason.
Chris Brooks is next in line, while Pierre Strong Jr. could also earn a roster spot if Green Bay decides to keep four running backs.
Jacobs, 28, has been selected to three Pro Bowls. In his two seasons with the Packers, he has recorded 2,882 scrimmage yards and 30 touchdowns. He spent his first five seasons with the Raiders and led the NFL in rushing in 2022.
