Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs was released from police custody Wednesday following his arrest on several domestic violence charges.
No charges were filed, however, to which the Brown County (Wis.) District Attorney’s Office said there is a distinction between the evidence threshold for arrest and charges. “Probable cause” is the threshold for arrest, while “beyond a reasonable doubt” is what is required for charges of a crime.
“After reviewing the available evidence in this case, the Brown County District Attorney’s Office is not yet prepared to make a formal charging decision,” District Attorney David L. Lasee said in a statement. “Our office has requested additional investigation, as there is reason to believe that additional evidence may exist that would impact whether criminal charges are appropriate.”
Jacobs, 28, was booked Tuesday by the Hobart-Lawrence (Wis.) Police Department on charges of battery (domestic abuse, criminal damage to property), domestic abuse, disorderly conduct (domestic abuse, strangulation and suffocation) and intimidation of a victim.
The strangulation and suffocation charge is a felony, the others are misdemeanors, per Brown County jail records.
Jacobs’ lawyers released a statement on Wednesday.
“We are extremely pleased that Josh has been released from custody and that no criminal charges have been filed against him,” a statement from David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld and Clarence Duchac read. “As we previously stated, we encourage everyone to keep an open mind while the matter is fully reviewed. We remain confident that, once all of the evidence is gathered and evaluated, it will confirm that no charges should be brought against Josh in the future.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur offered the following when asked about Jacobs during an OTA practice session on Wednesday:
“I’m going to stick with the statement we put out as an organization and just let the process play out,” he said.
Entering his third season with the Packers after signing a four-year, $48 million free agent deal in 2024, Jacobs is a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2020, 2022, 2024) and a first-team All Pro in 2022, when he led the NFL in rushing yards with the Las Vegas Raiders.
In seven NFL seasons, Jacobs has rushed for 7,803 yards on 1,840 attempts with 74 touchdowns.
