ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said Wednesday he would not be surprised if Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs faces discipline from the league by the start of the regular season.
“I will not be surprised if there’s discipline handed out by the time the season starts,” Schefter said regarding the possibility of Jacobs being disciplined by the NFL.
The comments come nearly three months after Jacobs was arrested in connection with an alleged domestic incident. Police in the Hobart-Lawrence area responded to a disturbance complaint involving the running back on the morning of May 23.
Jacobs, 28, was arrested May 26 and booked into Brown County Jail on five charges: battery/domestic abuse, criminal damage to property/domestic abuse, disorderly conduct/domestic abuse, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim.
He was released the following day. The Brown County District Attorney’s Office said at the time it was not prepared to make a formal charging decision and requested additional investigation, citing reason to believe more evidence could exist that would affect whether charges were appropriate.
The investigation remained open as of late July, according to the district attorney’s office. No formal charges have been filed.
Jacobs has denied the allegations through his attorneys. In a statement after the arrest, they said he “vehemently denies the allegations” and that important evidence had not yet been made public. They asked for fairness while the process continues.
The Packers have withheld comment beyond acknowledging awareness of the matter as an ongoing legal situation. The NFL has said it is aware of the report and has been in contact with the team.
Under the NFL’s personal conduct policy, the league can impose discipline for domestic violence cases even without criminal charges. The baseline suspension for a first offense is six games without pay, though the length can vary based on the specifics of the case.
Jacobs has continued participating with the Packers during the offseason and training camp when healthy. He recently missed time with a groin injury but was expected to return to practice this week.
In the 2025 season, Jacobs rushed for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns on 234 carries across 15 games. He also caught 36 passes for 282 yards and one score. The previous year, his first with Green Bay after signing a four-year, $48 million free-agent deal, he ran for 1,329 yards and a career-high 15 touchdowns.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Jacobs has amassed 7,803 career rushing yards and 74 rushing touchdowns over eight NFL seasons. He spent his first five years with the Las Vegas Raiders before joining the Packers in 2024.
The uncertainty surrounding potential league discipline adds another layer for a Packers team preparing for the 2026 season. Green Bay’s running back depth includes options such as MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks, who have received additional work during Jacobs’ recent absence.
Schefter had previously indicated in early August that Jacobs’ situation remained under review by the NFL along with cases involving other players. He suggested clarity on several pending disciplinary matters could come before the regular season opens.
The regular season is scheduled to begin in early September. Any suspension would affect Green Bay’s backfield plans and Jacobs’ availability for what would be his third season with the team.
Prosecutors have not provided a timeline for a final decision on charges. Jacobs remains free to practice and play while both the legal process and the league’s independent review continue.
The Packers open the preseason slate with games still ahead before the regular season. Jacobs’ status will remain a key storyline as training camp wraps and the team finalizes its roster.
Whether the NFL ultimately issues discipline, and of what length, is still unknown. Schefter’s latest assessment underscores the possibility that a decision could arrive soon.
