It has been nearly three months since Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacobs was arrested on charges of felony strangulation and several other misdemeanors related to domestic abuse. That’s also just about how long it’s been since we last had an update from the team, the league, or law enforcement officials. Jacobs has said via his lawyers that he “vehemently denies the allegations”. HC Matt LaFleur echoed the team’s initial statement, saying they would let the process play out.
Aaaaand, now we’re in the
back half of August. The NFL’s first round of player suspensions was recently announced, most notably: Atlanta Falcons DE James Pearce, who was suspended 8 games after his February arrest on domestic violence charges which included stalking and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. No suspension was announced for Jacobs, likely because things are still under investigation. If or when things finally start moving again, I don’t have high hopes that the league will respond in a way I deem appropriate. After all, stalking and aggravated battery get you 8 games. Holding a gun to someone’s head will cost you 5 games. Sometimes domestic violence incidents get you suspended for 6 games. Or 4 games. But hey! Sometimes domestic violence does get you kicked out of the league, but I suspect that’s only if you’re not very good at your job. Pretty soon they’re going to let players spin a big wheel to decide their fate just like on The Price is Right.
Back to Josh Jacobs. With the most recent update being that there…is no update, ESPN’s Adam Schefter says that a suspension for Jacobs is still on the table. As evidenced by the examples above, it’s looking like Jacobs could be facing a punishment anywhere from a 1 game suspension to being completely banned from the league. The NFL just doesn’t know.
