Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs's initial court appearance on two misdemeanor charges stemming from a May altercation with his girlfriend has been moved up two months, with the hearing now scheduled for Thursday. This date is three days before the Packers are set to open their season at Minnesota.
The NFL placed Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list on Sunday, three days after Brown County District Attorney David Lasee announced the charges of battery and criminal damage to property. The commissioner's exempt list prevents Jacobs from practicing or playing but allows him to continue receiving his paycheck. Players on this list may be permitted at team facilities for non-football activities, such as meetings and therapy, with the league's and club's permission.
The NFL is currently investigating the situation, and Jacobs could face a suspension. Any games missed while on the exempt list would count toward any potential suspension, and he would be required to repay any earnings from those missed games.
Jacobs's legal team, including David Z Chesnoff, Richard A Schonfeld, and Clarence F Duchac III, stated that the move to the commissioner's exempt list is not a final determination and that Jacobs anticipates his return to the team and the NFL.
Jacobs was arrested on May 26 following a disturbance investigation at his home. Police reported that Jacobs's girlfriend stated she sustained a lump on her head as a result of his actions. According to police statements, the altercation began when the woman, after looking through Jacobs's phone and seeing messages with other women, threw the phone. She indicated that Jacobs then grabbed her arm while she attempted to retrieve her phone, leading to a struggle. Later, as she tried to exit a garage door, Jacobs allegedly grabbed her and threw her to the ground, causing her to hit her head. Police stated that Jacobs also took her phone while she was on the ground. Surveillance footage from the garage reportedly corroborated the woman's account.
Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst commented that the team had not yet seen the surveillance footage and expressed hope for Jacobs's eventual return to play this season. "But we're going to let this process play out, and we'll be prepared either way," Gutekunst said.
Last season, Jacobs rushed for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Packers' running back depth is currently limited, with other backs having recorded no more than 106 rushing yards last year. The team recently acquired Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers and also has MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, and Pierre Strong Jr. on the roster or practice squad.
