Josh Jacobs files civil suit to block release of his records from offseason arrest
· Yahoo Sports
Content warning: The following article contains depictions of alleged battery.
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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is trying to prevent the release of records stemming from his offseason arrest. Jacobs filed a civil suit against the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department after it was approved to release certain records from the arrest with redactions.
The suit, which was filed by Jacobs on Wednesday, calls for a "permanent injunction, protective order, and order restricting access to records." Essentially, Jacobs wants to prevent any evidence from his arrest — including surveillance footage — from being released publicly. Shortly after Jacobs' arrest in May, it was reported surveillance video of Jacobs' alleged battery existed and corroborated the victim's claims of what transpired.
Ahead of the start of the 2026 NFL regular season, Jacobs was placed on the commissioner's exempt list. He has not played in a single game this season due to that designation.
With Jacobs unable to play, the running back sought to resolve his legal situation quickly. In September, he pleaded no contest to charges of battery and criminal damage to property.
That paved the way for the NFL to make a ruling on a possible punishment for Jacobs. In previous instances, the NFL has typically waited until the legal process plays out before issuing a potential punishment against a player. At the time, however, the NFL said it was still gathering information on Jacobs' arrest.
A few weeks later, a judge denied the victim's request to permanently seal all evidence, including the surveillance video. Evidence was then turned over Hobart-Lawrence Police Department, which decided Tuesday that it would release certain records from the arrest.
In the civil suit, which has been obtained by multiple news outlets, Jacobs' attorneys argue any evidence released could result in the victim being identified, even with the proper redactions. They also argue that the surveillance footage would show the interior of Jacobs' garage, which could be viewed by burglars who target the homes of professional athletes.
If Jacobs is unable to get the evidence permanently sealed, it would open the door for the NFL to obtain the surveillance video of the incident that led to his arrest. In that footage, Jacobs allegedly grabbed the victim and threw her to the ground.
That footage could determine the length and severity of Jacobs' punishment from the league, making it a potentially significant piece in the NFL's ruling. Given the video's importance, the NFL will likely wait until Jacobs' civil suit is resolved before making a decision on the running back's future.