Packers Coach Expects Josh Jacobs to Stay on Team Following Misdemeanor Charges

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur stated on Friday that he expects running back Josh Jacobs to remain on the National Football League team’s roster, speaking one day after local authorities formally charged the athlete in connection with an alleged domestic altercation earlier this year.

The Brown County District Attorney’s Office in Wisconsin charged Jacobs on Thursday with two misdemeanor counts: battery and criminal damage to property. The charges stem from an incident reported to have occurred on May 23 at the player’s residence located near Green Bay. A criminal complaint detailed that Jacobs allegedly grabbed a woman and threw her onto the ground, resulting in her striking her head during the encounter.

Law enforcement officers originally arrested Jacobs on May 26 under five preliminary counts, one of which was classified as a felony. Prosecutors reviewed the case over the following months before deciding to file the two specific misdemeanor charges this week, rather than pursuing the initial felony accusation.

LaFleur addressed the running back’s status during a media briefing following Green Bay’s pre-season game on Friday evening. When asked directly about the player’s future with the franchise in light of the criminal allegations, the head coach voiced support for Jacobs’ continued presence on the squad. “I fully anticipate him being a member of our team,” LaFleur told reporters. He acknowledged the ongoing legal process, noting, “You’ve got to let everything play out.”

The situation also falls under the jurisdiction of the NFL’s personal conduct guidelines. A league spokesperson stated on Thursday that the matter “remains under review” by league officials. Under NFL policy, executive leaders do not need to wait for criminal court proceedings to reach a verdict before deciding whether to impose internal discipline, such as a formal suspension.

Because any league-mandated penalty could affect Jacobs’ availability for the opening phase of the upcoming competitive schedule, journalists asked LaFleur if the coaching staff was actively preparing contingency plans. The head coach declined to predict how the league might handle the matter, saying, “I can’t really comment on that because I don’t know.”

The Packers are set to launch their regular season on September 13 with an away game against the Minnesota Vikings. LaFleur delivered his comments immediately after Green Bay secured a 42-38 victory against the Arizona Cardinals in their final pre-season exhibition at Lambeau Field. Jacobs was among 37 Packers players who did not wear uniforms or participate in the contest. Team management clarified that his absence was entirely standard procedure for the final pre-season fixture, as LaFleur routinely rested most established starters to prevent injury prior to the regular season, rather than as a consequence of his legal status.

Background

In American football, players charged with criminal offenses are subject to both local judicial proceedings and the National Football League’s personal conduct policy. The NFL conducts independent investigations into off-field incidents involving players, coaches, and staff. Under this policy, the league commissioner can issue fines or suspensions regardless of whether criminal charges lead to a conviction or are dismissed in court.

Pre-season exhibition games serve primarily as evaluation periods for younger players competing for roster spots. Head coaches in the NFL frequently elect to bench key starters during these non-counting matches to minimize the risk of injury ahead of the 17-game regular season schedule.