The battery case involving Josh Jacobs has come back into focus following his return to the Packers on Oct. 19.
The Green Bay tailback has slotted back into the Packers’ starting lineup with aplomb, producing three touchdowns in two games after returning from a six-game suspension related to his domestic violence arrest in May.
He has drawn attention for other reasons during that spell. Jacobs appeared to make reference to his arrest after finding the end zone against the Panthers in Week 8, though he denied his celebration was a nod to his arrest. One day later, Jacobs was the subject of multiple new domestic abuse allegations.
Here’s what you need to know about the accusations against Jacobs, claims that presumably could put his status in jeopardy.
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Josh Jacobs allegations, explained
Three women came forward to accuse Jacobs of abuse following his May arrest, NBC 26 reported. The accounts were included as evidence relating to Jacobs’ battery case released by the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department Friday night after a public records request.
On May 26, Jacobs was arrested following an altercation with his then-girlfriend that allegedly involved Jacobs throwing her to the ground. In September, Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage.
According to the records that were released on Friday night, one woman contacted police after Jacobs’ arrest to inform them that she shared a similar experience with Jacobs around 2023. She later told police that the incident took place in January 2022.
The woman alleged that Jacobs slapped her across the face and threw her phone into a swimming pool after she told Jacobs she didn’t want to have sex with him. She also alleged that Jacobs grabbed her by the hair, threw her onto the bed and floor, pinned her down and threatened to kill her. She also said Jacobs spit on her.
Another woman accused Jacobs of grabbing her, pushing her against a wall and throwing her belongings out after she and Jacobs had sex in April 2021. According to the records, the woman told Jacobs to get tested for STDs after his condom broke, sparking the confrontation. Hobart/Lawrence police said their records indicated that responding officers observed “no visible signs of injury, bruising or damage consistent with a physical altercation.”
Another woman described a May 2022 altercation that saw her sustain bruises on her arm and scratches to her chest and neck after Jacobs allegedly grabbed her by the hair, placed his hands on her head and neck, dragged her and took her phone.
The women cited multiple reasons for not initially reporting Jacobs’ alleged misdeeds to law enforcement. One said she remained friends with Jacobs after the incident and believed authorities wouldn’t believe her allegations. Another was not a U.S. citizen at the time of the incident. Jacobs allegedly told her that she could be deported if she spoke with police.
MORE: Josh Jacobs charges, explained
In addition to the new allegations, Hobart/Lawrence’s report offered more details into Jacobs’ May 23 arrest. The records note that Jacobs lunged at his former girlfriend, used his body weight to pin her on the bed and put his hand on her mouth and nose, making her feel like she couldn’t breathe. In a criminal complaint released in August, police noted that Jacobs’ former girlfriend also accused Jacobs of throwing her to the ground.
The records released on Friday indicated that she believed that she lost consciousness for a brief time as a result of Jacobs’ actions.
Jacob’s lawyers addressed the new allegations in a statement, labeling the claims as “uncorroborated, old and previously unreported.”
“They conducted their own exhaustive investigation, along with the police department, and the D.A. determined that only two misdemeanor charges were warranted,” Jacobs’ lawyers said of the Brown County District Attorney. “They then entered into a plea agreement with Josh Jacobs. Josh has repeatedly expressed his remorse and is honoring the terms of the agreement.”
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How long has NFL known about additional accusations?
It’s unclear if the NFL was aware of the latest allegations lodged against Jacobs prior to Friday’s records release. The NFL is still investigating the incident that led to Jacobs’ arrest, per ESPN. The league could presumably dish out more punishment against Jacobs if it finds that he violated its conduct policy.
Statement from NFL
The NFL announced that it will include the latest allegations in its investigation into Jacobs’ actions.
“We will review these allegations as part of the investigation which has remained open,” the league said in a statement released on Saturday.
Statement from Josh Jacobs’ attorney
Here’s a look at what Jacobs’ attorneys had to say about Friday’s record release.
“The Brown County District Attorney’s office had these uncorroborated, old, and previously unreported allegations for months. They conducted their own exhaustive investigation, along with the police department, and the D.A. determined that only two misdemeanor charges were warranted. They then entered into a plea agreement with Josh Jacobs. Josh has repeatedly expressed his remorse and is honoring the terms of the agreement.”
Will the NFL suspend Josh Jacobs again?
At present, it’s unknown whether the NFL will attempt to add games to Jacobs’ suspension. He was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list in August after the misdemeanor charges were filed against him. He was removed from the exempt list on Oct. 19 after missing six games. Since returning to the Packers, he has tallied 75 yards and three touchdowns (one rushing, two receiving).
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