1:45 p.m.: Following the newly reported allegations this morning, Jacobs’ lawyers released a statement defending the 28-year-old runner (via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic):
The Brown County Prosecutor’s Office had these uncorroborated, old and unreported allegations for months. They conducted their own thorough investigation, working with the police department, and the prosecutor determined that only two misdemeanor charges were warranted. They then reached a plea deal with Josh Jacobs. Josh has repeatedly expressed remorse and is honoring the terms of the agreement.
As Pelissero mentioned below, the league’s investigation did not end when Jacobs was placed on paid administrative leave. The NFL has left the door open to further recourse, if warranted, according to Mark Maske of Front Office Sports, and today’s allegations may have more to do with that than the previously reached legal settlement.
11:56 a.m.: Three more women accused the Packers running back Josh Jacobs of physical violence, according to police records obtained by NBC 26.
Jacobs, 28, pleaded no contest in September to two misdemeanors stemming from a domestic violence incident in Wisconsin in May. He was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list for the first six games of the regular season as a de facto suspension, but the NFL kept his case open in case additional punishment was necessary.
That may well be the case after a new round of allegations. Two women contacted police after Jacobs’ arrest this spring, while the third was in contact with authorities through the first victim in the May case. These three incidents took place in 2021 and 2022. Jacobs’ file contains disturbing details about his allegations of physical abuse, some of which he had previously reported to police.
The NFL released a statement (via Tom Pelissero of The Ringer) saying the league would “review these allegations as part of the investigation that remains open.” Jacobs, who appeared in the Packers’ last two games and used what appears to be a handcuffing gesture to celebrate a touchdown Thursday night, remains eligible to play, although that could change at any time.
The Packers have backed their star running back this year, but they have also been one of the teams linked to a trade for the Colts running back. Jonathan Taylor, by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport. The latest accusations could push them to consider a future without Jacobs, notes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The eight-year veteran no longer has any guaranteed money on his contract, which only runs through 2027 anyway.
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