GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur addressed Josh Jacobs' future with the team on Friday, one day after he was charged with two misdemeanors related to an alleged incident earlier this year with a woman at his home.
"Well, I fully anticipate him being a member of our team," LaFleur said.
Jacobs was charged with battery and criminal destruction of property, both misdemeanors, by the Brown County (Wisconsin) District Attorney. Jacobs was originally arrested on May 26 on five counts, including one felony, but formal charges were not filed until Thursday. According to the criminal complaint, Jacobs grabbed a woman and threw her to the ground and she struck her head. The alleged incident happened at Jacobs' home near Green Bay on May 23.
Jacobs has an initial court appearance on Nov. 17.
"You gotta let everything play out," LaFleur said. "But I anticipate him being a member of our football team." An NFL spokesman said Thursday that the matter "remains under review."
The league does not have to wait for the legal process to be completed before deciding whether to suspend Jacobs, meaning the Packers might have to prepare to open the season without Jacobs if he is suspended.
"I can't really comment on that because I don't know," LaFleur said.
The Packers open the regular season on Sept. 13 at the Minnesota Vikings.
LaFleur's comments came after Friday's 42-38 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the preseason finale at Lambeau Field. Jacobs was one of 37 Packers players who did not dress for the game, but it was not because of his legal situation. Jacobs would not have played anyway because LaFleur rested most of the starters.