GREEN BAY, Wis. — Josh Jacobs, a running back for the Green Bay Packers, is currently facing a series of legal troubles, with five criminal charges brought against him. The charges follow a police response to a disturbance report involving Jacobs over the weekend, which includes allegations of strangulation and suffocation.
According to Michael Renkas, the Police Chief of Hobart/Lawrence in Wisconsin, Jacobs was taken into custody on Tuesday and is currently held at Brown County Jail. The charges he faces include strangulation and suffocation, battery in the context of domestic abuse, criminal damage to property related to domestic abuse, disorderly conduct associated with domestic abuse, and victim intimidation.
Authorities were alerted to the incident involving Jacobs early on Saturday morning at 8:37 a.m., prompting their response to the situation.
Chief Renkas noted in a public statement that the investigation is still active and ongoing. He further mentioned that no additional information will be disclosed at this stage.
The charge of strangulation and suffocation is classified as a felony, while the remaining four charges are considered misdemeanors, as per the Brown County Jail’s online case records.
Jacobs’ legal representatives, David Chesnoff, Richard Schonfeld, and Clarence Duchac, have released a joint statement addressing the situation on behalf of their client.
“Josh vehemently denies the allegations, and this matter is in the early stages of investigation with important evidence that has not yet been made public,” they said. “We ask for fairness and restraint while the judicial process takes its course.”
Jacobs is the Packers’ top returning rusher after running for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. That followed a 2024 season in which he ran for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns while earning his third Pro Bowl selection.
He’s the only player on Green Bay’s roster who rushed for as many as 200 yards for the Packers last season. Emanuel Wilson, the Packers’ second-leading rusher last year, signed with the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason.
The Packers began their organized team activities Tuesday. Packers coach Matt LaFleur has a scheduled availability with reporters Wednesday.
“We are aware of the matter involving Josh Jacobs,” a Packers spokesman said. “As it is an ongoing legal situation, we will withhold further comment.”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said that “we are aware of the report and have been in contact with the club.”
Jacobs spent his first five seasons with the Raiders. He earned All-Pro honors and had an NFL-leading 1,653 yards rushing with Las Vegas in 2022.
He has rushed for 7,803 yards and 74 touchdowns in his seven-year career. The only active players with more career touchdown runs are Baltimore’s Derrick Henry (122) and Buffalo’s Josh Allen (79).
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