Josh Jacobs unfazed as NFL probe deepens

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs says he is not worried about missing additional games as the NFL continues its investigation into abuse allegations against him.

The league’s probe remains open and active, an NFL spokesman confirmed last week after the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department released a trove of evidence that included interviews with three women who accused Jacobs of physical and verbal abuse.

Jacobs, 28, spent six games on the NFL’s commissioner exempt list earlier this season.

Those six games could convert to a time-served suspension if the league ultimately decides to impose one.

But Jacobs does not expect to face further penalties beyond what he has already served.

“I’m not worried about feeling like I’m going to miss any more time than I already have,” Jacobs said Wednesday during a brief Q&A session with a small group of reporters in the Packers locker room.

The running back spoke ahead of Sunday’s matchup between the Packers (5-3) and the New England Patriots (5-3) at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

It will be his third game back in the lineup after being reinstated on Oct. 19.

Jacobs pleaded no contest in September to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property.

That plea ended the criminal proceedings against him in the legal realm.

But the league has been very clear that its independent investigation remains open, separate from the court case.

Under the NFL’s personal conduct policy, the commissioner has the authority to discipline players even if criminal charges are dropped or result in a plea deal.

The policy covers conduct that “undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, its clubs, or players.”

When the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department released its evidence last Friday, it included interviews with three women who said Jacobs had physically and verbally abused them in encounters before his May arrest.

An NFL spokesman said those interviews would be part of the league’s ongoing probe.

The women contacted police after news broke of Jacobs’ arrest on May 26 in connection with a disturbance at his suburban Green Bay home involving him and his then-girlfriend.

Jacobs’ legal team has called the women’s claims “unsupported and stale allegations.”

Jacobs himself addressed the new allegations on Wednesday, calling them an attack on his character.

“It really feels like an attack on me and who I am and my character,” Jacobs said.

“And at the end of the day, there’s a lot of stuff being said about me that’s completely false — like, completely made up, and it’s like people just run with it.

“And I can’t change that.”

Jacobs said his focus has been on not letting the situation change who he is.

“It’s just one of those things where it’s like, ‘OK, all I can do is try to be who I am and try not to let the negative moments change who I am,’” Jacobs said.

“And that was the biggest thing for me throughout this whole process.

“I didn’t want to go to a place where I felt like I was closed off and I’m angry all the time because of what’s going on in my life.”

Jacobs initially referred reporters to his lawyers’ lengthy statement but then spoke on his own behalf.

He pointed back to that statement on Wednesday, adding, “It’s one of those things where I’m going to lean on that.”

The running back said he is confident the evidence will show he should not face additional discipline.

“With all the evidence that we have and that they have at this point, it’s not one of those things where I’m sitting back on my hands like, ‘OK, am I going to play this week?’” Jacobs said.

“I kind of already know what it is.

“It’s really just up to [the league] to make their final decision.”

Jacobs returned to the field on Oct. 25 in a loss to the Detroit Lions.

In his two games since returning from the commissioner exempt list, he is averaging just 2.3 yards per carry.

He has scored three total touchdowns and has 11 receptions in those two games.

The Packers’ offensive line has struggled this season, which has contributed to Jacobs’ low rushing average.

Despite the low yards-per-carry number, Jacobs has maintained a heavy workload and remains a key part of Green Bay’s offense.

The NFL has not set a timeline for completing its investigation.

Under the personal conduct policy, the league can impose fines, suspensions, or other discipline based on a preponderance of the evidence standard — meaning it does not require proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Players who are suspended without pay lose game checks based on their base salary.

For Jacobs, who signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Packers in March 2024, any additional missed games would carry significant financial consequences.

Jacobs has not been charged with any crime related to the three new allegations.

The only criminal charge he faced stemmed from the May 26 incident involving his then-girlfriend.

That case ended with his no-contest plea in September.

A no-contest plea means the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts the conviction as if it were a guilty plea.

Jacobs was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution for the property damage.

The Packers have not commented on the new allegations beyond saying they are aware of the investigation and will cooperate with the league.

Head coach Matt LaFleur has not addressed the situation publicly since the new allegations emerged.

Jacobs said he is trying to block out the noise and focus on football.