Packers’ Josh Jacobs returns to practice amid domestic abuse allegations: ‘Business as usual’

After being arrested last week on domestic abuse allegations, Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is back at practice. 

“I would say business as usual,” head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters June 2. 

On May 23, police responded to Jacobs’ home in a suburb just outside of Green Bay following a 911 call from inside the home. 

The 911 dispatcher described “yelling and screaming” on an open line.

“Things being thrown,” the dispatcher tells officers, adding, “Possibly a male and female.”

Then, a neighbor called 911 saying that a woman “was assaulted” next door.

Jacobs left the home before police arrived and wasn’t arrested until three days later, May 26. 

Authorities said at the time that Jacobs was arrested on charges of battery (domestic abuse, criminal damage to property), domestic abuse, disorderly conduct (domestic abuse, strangulation and suffocation), and intimidation of a victim.

But the Brown County District Attorney announced last week that he had not yet decided whether to file formal charges against Jacobs.

Through his attorneys, Jacobs “vehemently denies the allegations.” 

Jacobs lined up with Green Bay’s starting unit for the opening 11-on-11 play of the Packers’ OTA practice on June 2.

LaFleur and quarterback Jordan Love said the team have discussed the issue internally. 

“Everyone knows what the situation is there, and we’ve talked,” Love said. “But obviously the details — everybody’s keeping that under wraps right now just out of respect for the situation and obviously all the legal stuff that’s going to be playing out.

“But it’s great to have Josh here with us, being able to work with us and get back to work. But yeah, everybody’s just waiting and letting it play out on its own.”

Safety Xavier McKinney has a longer history with Jacobs than anyone else in the Packers’ locker room. The two not only joined Green Bay as free agents in 2024, but they were also teammates at the University of Alabama before beginning their NFL careers.

“That’s my guy,” McKinney said. “So, I didn’t really know too much until obviously it came out, but we’re all in support of him, and we understand things happen.

“Like, I get things happen. But we’re all in support of him regardless of what’s going on.”

Jacobs, who was unavailable to reporters on Tuesday, missed last week’s OTA practice that was open to the media. However, he had already rejoined the Packers before Tuesday’s session.

“This wasn’t the first day he was back, but it’s normal,” McKinney said. “It’s not like it’s something that’s, like, different. We’re just going about our regular day and doing what we’ve got to do.”

Whether Jacobs ultimately faces charges could influence any disciplinary action taken by the NFL. Under the NFL’s personal conduct policy, a first domestic violence offense carries a baseline six-game suspension without pay, though that penalty can be reduced or increased depending on the circumstances. A second offense can result in a lifetime ban from the league.

Earlier this year, Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice faced domestic violence allegations and a related lawsuit. However, following its investigation, the NFL concluded that Rice “has not engaged in conduct that violates the personal conduct policy.”

A first-team All-Pro selection in 2022 with the Las Vegas Raiders, Jacobs has been Green Bay’s leading rusher in each of the past two seasons. Since signing with the Packers, he has appeared in 32 games, missing only two, while rushing for 2,258 yards and 28 touchdowns.