Josh

Jacobs

Jacobs was arrested last week for domestic violence allegations including battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. He has denied the allegations and was not formally charged last week by the local district attorney’s office. Jacobs could be facing a lengthy absence this season depending on the outcome of a league investigation into the accusations of domestic violence. Releasing Jacobs, 28, would result in a $6.25 million dead cap hit for the Packers.

The update comes directly from the DA’s office. They note that the standard for an arrest in this case is probable cause. The DA’s Office, however, applies a higher standard. The evidence against Jacobs did not meet that standard and he was released from custody, though this does not mean charges can’t be filed at a later date. Jacobs was initially arrested on Tuesday and booked in jail for battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. Jacobs’ lawyers immediately put out a statement denying the accusations. For now, it’s simply a waiting game. Jacobs could end up on the commissioner’s exempt list, but the league has generally erred on the side of letting the legal process play out before stepping in.

Jacobs this week was arrested in Wisconsin on domestic abuse chargers. The 28-year-old back was booked in jail for battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. Jacobs denies the allegations. If the Packers were to release Jacobs — who has two years and $25 million remaining on his current deal — they would absorb a doable $6.2 million hit to the salary cap for 2026. Jacobs could be facing team and/or league discipline in the coming months, and could miss part of the regular season if the NFL’s investigation into the domestic abuse allegations warrants a suspension. Other running backs on the Packers depth chart include Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd, and Pierre Strong.

According to a police report from the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department, Jacobs was arrested on five charges following a May 23rd complaint of a domestic disturbance. He was booked in jail for battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. According to Jacobs’ attorneys, the 28-year-old is denying the charges. The NFL generally conducts its own investigation into domestic violence claims after law enforcement conducts an investigation. The commissioner exempt list is a possibility for Jacobs as the NFL investigates; a suspension is certainly on the table. The investigation and subsequent appeals will take some time but Jacobs could miss games in 2026 as a result of this arrest.

Jacobs also returned two kicks in this game despite never returning a kick in an NFL game before, and his first attempt saw him fumble with the ball fortunately landing in the hands of a Packers’ special-teamer. The tailback found very little room in the run game, and the word “plod” would be an accurate descriptor for much of the contest. While he did rush for 13 touchdowns in 2025, he also was held to a 4.0 average on his 234 carries (929 yards). The 27-year-old should be back with Green Bay in 2025, and he’ll open the year as a low-end RB1 thanks to his knack for finding the end zone.

Jacobs, dealing with knee and ankle issues for the past month, will try to heal up before Green Bay’s Wild Card game next weekend. He’s one of many Packers starters declared inactive for a mostly meaningless Week 18 game. Emanuel Wilson could see a solid workload with Jacobs sidelined, though Chris Brooks could mix in so Wilson will be healthy for the postseason.

Jacobs will be available if the Packers need him. Yesterday, Packers RB coach Ben Sirmans indicated Jacobs won’t play much, if at all, though. Either No. 2 Emanuel Wilson or No. 3 RB Chris Brooks will lead the backfield in touches. Wilson has played a key role in the Packers’ offense this season. He could join Jacobs in the proverbial bubble wrap on the sideline this week. If so, Brooks warrants RB2/3 consideration.

The Packers have already shut down Nos. 1 and 2 QBs, Jordan Love, who cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol, and Malik Willis (right shoulder/hamstring), for Week 18. We expect them to do the same with their key skill position players. Packers No. 2 RB Emanuel Wilson has been a meaningful contributor this season. If the Packers choose to keep Jacobs and Wilson out this week, No. 3 RB Chris Brooks could be the starter.

Jacobs has been playing through the knee and ankle issues for a while. If Week 18 meant anything to Green Bay, he would be playing. The Packers, however, are locked in as the No. 7 seed already. With nothing to play for, they are expected to rest some starters ahead of the Wild Card Round. We suspect Jacobs will get the week off.

The Packers are locked in as the No. 7 seed with no ability to move up in the order. Jordan Love missed Week 17 with a concussion and Josh Jacobs has been playing through knee issues for most of the season. Christian Watson recently suffered a chest injury and has been playing through it as well. The list goes on and on for the Packers, as it does for most teams at this point in the season. With nothing to play for in Week 18, expect those three players and several others to get the week off as Green Bay prepares for a Wild Card Round game.