The Green Bay Packers have decided to keep running back Josh Jacobs on their roster despite recent controversies. Jacobs spent the first six games of the 2026 NFL season on the commissioner’s exempt list after he was convicted of battery on May 23 and agreed to a deferred judgment on a property damage charge along with a $1,000 fine. Additional allegations of physical and verbal abuse surfaced on October 30, with three women reporting incidents dating back to 2021, prompting the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department to release 129 pages of related documents.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed the team’s stance on Jacobs, stating that they are aware of the allegations but will allow the NFL to conduct its own process. LaFleur expressed his expectation that Jacobs would remain a member of the team moving forward, emphasizing his limited ability to comment further while the situation unfolds. When pressed about the rationale behind retaining Jacobs, LaFleur maintained that the team would let events play out before making any definitive decisions.

Jacobs’ legal representatives have strongly denied the new allegations, calling them a “character assassination” that unfairly threatens his NFL career. They pointed out that the police documents contain only telephone interview summaries from years after the events, with no further investigation, and stressed Jacobs’ denial backed by tangible evidence. According to the defense, Jacobs was not given a chance to present evidence to the Hobart/Lawrence authorities, which ultimately took no action against him based on these uncorroborated claims.

On the field, Jacobs has returned to action in two games but posted lackluster stats with 75 rushing yards on 32 carries. His recent touchdown celebration, which involved miming being unlocked from handcuffs, attracted media attention and criticism for poor optics. LaFleur acknowledged discussing the celebration with Jacobs but chose to keep the details private, signaling a focus on moving forward amid ongoing scrutiny over the player’s legal troubles and performance.