Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs walked out of a Wisconsin jail Wednesday, hours after being arrested on a slate of domestic violence charges that included a felony count of strangulation. The Pro Bowler's release came as the Brown County District Attorney's Office said it needs more time—and more evidence—before deciding whether to formally charge him.
Jacobs was booked Tuesday on five counts: battery (domestic abuse), criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, intimidation of a victim, and strangulation and suffocation—the only felony among them. The other four charges are misdemeanors. According to Brown County Jail records, the allegations stem from an incident that has not been fully detailed by authorities.
District Attorney David L. Lasee said in a statement Wednesday that his office is not yet ready to make a charging decision. “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,” Lasee said. “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.” He added that Jacobs would be released from custody pending a final determination.
Jacobs, who starred for the Las Vegas Raiders before signing with Green Bay, has denied the allegations through his attorneys. “We are extremely pleased that Josh has been released from custody and that no criminal charges have been filed against him,” attorneys David Chesnoff, Richard Schonfeld, and Clarence Duchac said in a statement. “As we previously stated, we encourage everyone to keep an open mind while the matter is fully reviewed. We remain confident that, once all of the evidence is gathered and evaluated, it will confirm that no charges should be brought against Josh in the future.”
The Packers organization has been tight-lipped about the situation. Head coach Matt LaFleur faced questions Wednesday but offered little. “I know there’s going to be a lot of questions about Josh,” LaFleur said. “I’m going to stick with the statement that we put out as an organization and just let the process play out.” The team’s initial statement did not include specifics about any potential discipline or Jacobs’ status with the club.
This is not the first time the Packers have dealt with off-field drama involving a key player. The situation echoes the team’s recent decision to cut ties with struggling kicker McManus after a rocky season. But the Jacobs case carries far more serious implications, given the nature of the charges.
Jacobs, 27, is a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the NFL’s most dynamic runners. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons with the Raiders before signing a four-year, $48 million deal with Green Bay in 2025. His on-field production has been a bright spot for a Packers team that has leaned heavily on the run game. The legal process will now determine whether that production continues.
The district attorney’s office has not set a timeline for a final charging decision. In the meantime, Jacobs is free to rejoin the team—though the NFL could step in under its personal conduct policy. The league has not yet commented on the matter.
For now, the Packers and their fans are left to wait. The investigation is ongoing, and the next chapter of this story could take weeks—or longer—to unfold.
