Josh Jacobs' lawyers cite specific evidence to refute three new police reports

Josh Jacobs is back on the field for the Green Bay Packers after two games, but his legal team says new police records create a confusing picture of his history. The running back pleaded no contest on Sept. 10 to two misdemeanor charges. Those charges stemmed from a May altercation where his then-girlfriend said he threw her to the ground. The Hobart-Lawrence Police Department released records on Friday night. The files include accounts from three other women who alleged similar incidents with Jacobs years ago.

Attorneys David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld and Clarence F. Duchac III issued statements on Saturday and Sunday. They argue the Brown County District Attorney held these claims for months without action. The lawyers describe the new accounts as old hearsay that is easily disproven. They note the police released the information to media without investigating whether evidence supported it. The team says Jacobs is answering the claims because the character assassination threatens his career.

One woman told police she had a dispute with Jacobs in 2023. She later corrected that date to Jan. 5, 2022. She said she spent 11 hours at his home. She claimed he slapped her after she told him she was not there for sex. She said he threw her phone into a swimming pool and pinned her to a bed. She stated he told her he should kill her right now. She did not report the incident at the time because she remained friends with him.

A second woman described an incident in April 2021. She said Jacobs pushed her against a wall after a condom broke. She reported bruises on her arms and swelling in her rib area. Police records show officers observed no visible signs of injury or bruising during that call. Jacobs' lawyers say this woman filed a claim with the NFL. The league reviewed it and found no action was warranted.

The third woman met Jacobs through social media. She said he flew her to a residence in May 2022. She described being dragged and having her phone taken. She said she did not report the incident because she was not a U.S. citizen at the time. She believed she could be deported. Jacobs' lawyers say he denied a physical altercation with this woman. They note another person was present in the home for part of her stay.

The original May case involved Jacobs' then-girlfriend. Police said she hit her head when he threw her as she exited a garage. Surveillance footage from the garage corroborated her statement. Both Jacobs and the victim have asked courts to seal evidence, including video. The NFL investigation remains ongoing. Spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league will review the newly released police records as part of that process.

Jacobs has played in the Packers' last two games. He spent the first six games on the commissioner's exempt list. That list prevented him from playing or practicing. His legal team says he is meeting all court requirements from his plea deal. The NFL declined to comment on the lawyers' detailed statements on Sunday.