The initial court appearance for Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been moved up two months from November 17 to September 10, according to court records cited by The New York Times. The hearing is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. in Brown County Circuit Court, as reported by sports.yahoo.com.
Josh Jacobs Court Appearance Rescheduled to September 10
Jacobs faces two misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property stemming from an incident on May 23 at a home in Hobart involving his girlfriend. Because the charges are misdemeanors, legal rules permit Jacobs’ attorney to attend the proceeding on his behalf if an authorization form is filed, a step that was completed according to Fox11online.
Charges and Police Investigation Details
The criminal complaint filed by Brown County District Attorney David Lasee states that police responded to an open 911 line where dispatchers overheard yelling and swearing. The victim informed responding officers that an argument began after she looked at Jacobs’ phone and saw he was communicating with other women.
According to the police report and complaint details outlined by Fox11online, the altercation escalated when Jacobs grabbed her arm and a physical struggle ensued. After leaving and returning to the residence in separate vehicles, the victim attempted to exit through a garage door. Investigators stated that Jacobs grabbed her, threw her to the ground, caused her to strike her head, and took her phone. Law enforcement officers observed redness on the victim’s face and neck alongside a bump on the back of her head. Furthermore, investigator Dan Van Lanen of the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department noted that home surveillance video footage corroborated aspects of the garage altercation.
Jacobs’ defense attorneys—David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld, and Clarence F. Duchac III—released a statement noting that the district attorney elected to file misdemeanor charges that do not include domestic violence
and stated that the allegations will be addressed in court rather than the media.
Commissioner’s Exempt List and NFL Status
The NFL placed Jacobs on the Commissioner’s Exempt List on Sunday. While on the list, Jacobs is prohibited from practicing or attending games, though he continues to receive his paycheck. Players on the list may request club permission to visit the facility for meetings, individual workouts, therapy, rehabilitation, and other non-football activities.
Legal counsel for Jacobs emphasized that placement on the exempt list is not a final determination
and expressed that he looks forward to returning to the team and the NFL. The expedited September 10 court date takes place three days before the Packers’ season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, potentially allowing clarity regarding his playing status and any potential league discipline much sooner than the original November date.
Packers Roster Adjustments and Team Depth
Head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst addressed the team’s ongoing preparation while awaiting the legal and administrative process. In response to Jacobs’ absence, the Packers acquired running back Kaleb Johnson in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team’s backfield depth chart also features MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks.
During the 2025 campaign, Jacobs appeared in 15 games, rushing for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns on 234 carries while catching 36 passes for 282 yards and one score.
Related reading