The initial court appearance for Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been rescheduled from November 17 to September 10, according to court records cited by Fox11online. The hearing will take place in Brown County (Wis.) Circuit Court, moving the date up by two months from its originally scheduled slot during the team’s bye week.
Court Hearing Moved Up for Green Bay Packers Running Back Josh Jacobs
Jacobs faces two misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property following an incident at a Hobart home on May 23 involving his girlfriend. Because the charges are misdemeanors, legal rules allow Jacobs’ attorney to appear on his behalf without the player being present in person, provided an authorization form is filed.
Criminal Complaint and Police Investigation Details
According to the criminal complaint filed by the Brown County District Attorney’s Office on August 27, police responded to an open 911 line where dispatchers heard yelling and swearing before the line disconnected. The victim told officers that she and Jacobs argued after she looked through his phone and saw he was talking to other women.
The complaint details that the argument moved to a bedroom before the victim attempted to leave the house. As she tried to exit the garage door, Jacobs grabbed her and threw her to the ground, causing her to strike her head and suffer an injury, according to the documents. Investigators observed redness on the victim’s face and neck, noted a bump on the back of her head, and reported that she expressed pain.
Police also reviewed home surveillance footage. The video showed Jacobs taking the victim’s phone while she was on the garage floor, and returning approximately 40 seconds later to appear to damage the phone. The video did not capture events that occurred inside the residence. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst stated that the team had not seen the garage video footage (Fox Sports).
Jacobs was originally arrested on May 26 by the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department on suspicion of five offenses related to domestic abuse and released the following day. At the time, the district attorney’s office did not find sufficient evidence to pursue charges immediately. Jacobs’ attorneys released a statement noting that the district attorney reviewed evidence and elected to file misdemeanor charges that do not include domestic violence, adding that the allegations will be addressed in court.
Impact on the Packers and NFL Status
Following the filing of charges, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell placed Jacobs on the commissioner’s exempt list on Sunday (The New York Times, Fox Sports). This administrative procedure prevents Jacobs from practicing or playing, though he continues to receive his salary (Fox Sports). While on the list, he does not count toward the team’s 53-man roster limit and cannot attend games, though he may be present at the club facility for meetings, individual workouts, therapy, and rehabilitation with team permission (The New York Times, Fox Sports).
The revised court date falls three days before the Packers’ season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
Johnson joins a running back depth chart that includes MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks (Fox11online, The New York Times, Fox Sports).
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