NFL makes huge decision on future of Packers star Josh Jacobs after his battery arrest

Green Bay Packers star running back Josh Jacobs has been placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List in the wake of his arrest and ongoing legal issues.

Jacobs was first arrested on May 26 after handing himself into cops, but was only last weekend charged by the Brown County district attorney with battery and criminal damage to property, both of which are misdemeanors.

As he waits to find out his legal fate, the NFL has now shed some light on his football future, placing him on the exempt list - meaning he is not allowed to practice or attend games.

A statement from his attorneys on Sunday read: 'Josh Jacobs has been placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List, which is an administrative procedure used by the NFL while a matter is being reviewed. 

'It is not a final determination. Josh respects the NFL process, the Packers, and his Coaches and Teammates. He looks forward to his return to the team and the NFL.'

The news will come as a significant blow to Green Bay just two weeks out from the start of the season, with $12m-a-year Jacobs the lead back on the roster.

Despite him not being able to play, he will still be paid his full salary as his legal case continues to unfold. The Packers, meanwhile, clear a roster spot to replace him with a different player.

Jacobs turned himself in to cops on May 26 and was arrested by Hobart/Lawrence police before being released without charge from Brown County Jail the following day. 

A news release from police at the time said they responded to a disturbance involving Jacobs on May 23. Police listed the charges they arrested him on, which included felony strangulation, battery – domestic abuse, criminal damage to property – domestic abuse, disorderly conduct – domestic abuse, and intimidation of a victim.

The district attorney's office said more evidence was needed before prosecutors decided whether to file charges.

An incident report revealed that officers were dispatched to a residence belonging to Jacobs in Hobart, Brown County, Wisconsin at approximately 8:37am on May 23 after reports of a disturbance.

Officers made contact with an adult male who stated he lived at the property, and said he was not aware of an altercation. He said Jacobs' girlfriend had left the house on foot while Jacobs left in his vehicle.

Dispatch then informed officers that Jacobs' girlfriend was at a neighbor's house on the phone with Brown County dispatch and had indicated she had a lump on her head she alleged was caused by Jacobs' actions.

She told officers she 'had been looking through Jacobs' phone and saw that he was talking to other girls' and said she threw his phone as she was upset. She alleged a 'physical struggle, which lasted several minutes' began when she tried to retrieve her phone from Jacobs and he 'grabbed her arm'.

She claimed Jacobs left with her phone in a vehicle and she followed him in his other vehicle 'in an attempt to retrieve' it. After returning to the house, she alleges that 'Jacobs called her a derogatory name' and 'made some comment to the effect that he would 'do something to her'.'

While trying to exit the garage door to leave, she alleges 'Jacobs grabbed her and threw her to the ground and she struck her head, suffering an injury. Jacobs then took her phone from her while she was on the ground'.

She claims she 'struggled to walk back into the house', while the police report states: 'Officer Peterson observed redness' to her 'face and neck, and was able to feel that she had a bump on the back of her head. She described that she was in pain as a result of the injuries'. 

Jacobs has now been formally charged over the alleged incident but has avoided any felony charges, and none of the charges are related to domestic violence.