GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers running back Josh Jacobs was released from jail on Wednesday after the Brown County District Attorney’s Office said it wasn’t ready to make a formal charging decision after reviewing available evidence from an alleged domestic violence incident.
Jacobs was arrested Tuesday and booked into Brown County Jail on five charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident over the weekend, according to the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department in Wisconsin. The charges against Jacobs, 28, include felony strangulation and suffocation, and four misdemeanors: battery (domestic abuse), criminal damage to property (domestic abuse), disorderly conduct (domestic abuse) and intimidation of a victim. Jacobs’ arrest stems from an incident that occurred Saturday morning, according to a police news release, as police were dispatched to a disturbance complaint at approximately 8:37 a.m. CT.
Wisconsin law mandates that an arrest be made if an officer has a reasonable basis to believe that a crime committed involves domestic violence. The district attorney must then decide whether to issue criminal charges, which are bound to apply a higher standard.
In a media release on Wednesday, Brown County District Attorney David E. Lassee wrote: “After reviewing the available evidence in this case, the Brown County District Attorney’s Office is not yet prepared to make a formal charging decision. Our office has requested additional investigation, as there is reason to believe that additional evidence may exist that would impact whether criminal charges are appropriate, and what charges would be issued. Mr. Jacobs will be released from custody at this time, and a final charging decision will be made by our office at a later date.”
The investigation will remain open, the DA’s office said.
Jacobs’ attorneys, David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld and Clarence Duchac, released a statement regarding Wednesday’s development: “We are extremely pleased that Josh has been released from custody and that no criminal charges have been filed against him. As we previously stated, we encourage everyone to keep an open mind while this matter is fully reviewed. We remain confident that, once all the evidence is gathered and evaluated, it will confirm that no charges should be brought against Josh in the future.”
The Packers cancelled their scheduled post-practice player availability on Wednesday in light of Jacobs’ arrest. Before their first OTA practice open to the media, head coach Matt LaFleur declined to elaborate on Jacobs’ ongoing legal matter and how it might affect the team when asked several questions about his starting running back.
“I’m going to stick with the statement that we put out as an organization and just let the process play out,” LaFleur said.
In a statement to The Athletic on Tuesday, a Packers spokesperson said, “We are aware of the matter involving Josh Jacobs. As it is an ongoing legal situation, we will withhold further comment.” The NFL told The Athletic in a statement that it was “aware of the report” and has “been in contact with the club.”
One of the NFL’s top running backs, Jacobs is in his third season with the Packers after signing as a free agent in 2024 on a four-year, $48 million deal. He’s rushed for 2,258 yards on 4.2 yards per carry and 28 touchdowns over his two seasons in Green Bay.
Jacobs was a first-round pick of the Oakland Raiders in 2019 and led the NFL in rushing yards in 2022 while making the All-Pro First Team that year and the Pro Bowl in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
