Jacobs faces new abuse claims

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is responding to three new abuse allegations that surfaced in police records last week. The claims emerged during an active investigation into Jacobs, who has missed the first six weeks of the 2026 season on the commissioner's exempt list.

Records from the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department detail reports from three women contacted during the probe. One woman told investigators in June about an incident in January 2022 involving a slap, a phone thrown into a pool, and being pinned down. She stated she wanted the recent May 2026 incident believed but had not formally reported the earlier event.

A second woman reported an April 2021 incident to police in late June. She alleged Jacobs grabbed her arms, pushed her against a wall, and threw her belongings outside. While she claimed bruising and rib pain, responding officers noted no visible signs of injury or damage at the scene.

The third woman contacted the department in July regarding a May 2022 encounter. She described Jacobs placing his hands on her head and neck, dragging her, and taking her cell phone. She reported bruising and scratches but did not seek medical treatment or file a report due to fears of deportation, as she was not a U.S. citizen at the time.

Jacobs spoke to reporters on Wednesday, acknowledging the ongoing situation. He said it is unfortunate that new allegations continue to surface while he processes events. He described his current approach as rolling with the punches until facts can be presented.

The player addressed the impact on his locker room, stating that teammates feel bad for him but that the allegations feel like an attack on his character. He noted that he has had real conversations with his team, including times when he cried, which he believes earns their respect. He said he is not currently worried about missing more time, though the decision rests with the league.

The NFL stated last Saturday that it will review the new allegations as part of its open investigation. This leaves open the possibility of further suspension. Jacobs' legal team, including attorneys David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld, and Clarence F. Duchac III, released a statement denying any wrongdoing. They argued the police file consists of phone interviews taken years after the fact without additional investigation.

The attorneys claimed Jacobs has substantial tangible evidence supporting his assertions, which was not presented to police because they took no action on the stale allegations. The statement detailed specific rebuttals, noting the NFL reviewed one claim and found no action warranted. For another, it said Jacobs had called police to report her for misconduct in 2021. For the third, the statement cited a receipt showing she left a Las Vegas visit in a ride she ordered herself. The attorneys concluded the accounts are old, hearsay, and easily disproven, adding that Jacobs is answering in detail due to character assassination threatening his career.