Josh Jacobs mug shot (Photo courtesy: Brown County Jail)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur met with the media on Tuesday and made their first comments since running back Josh Jacobs was placed on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list on Sunday.
Jacobs was charged last week with two misdemeanor counts of battery and criminal damage to property stemming from an altercation with his girlfriend in May at his home in Hobart.
When asked if he expects Jacobs to play for the Packers this year, Gutekunst said, “I think that’s to be seen, but I’m extremely hopeful that he will and I certainly would expect that, but we’re going to let this process play out and we’ll be prepared either way.”
When asked whether there was any scenario in which the Packers would release Jacobs, Gutekunst said, “We’ll let the process play out before we make any of those decisions, but we’ll see.”
The criminal complaint indicates there is security camera video of Jacobs throwing the woman to he ground. Gutekunst said Packers officials have not seen that video.
“Those are legal things going on right now, so we’ll let that play out. That’s really not for us, but in the appropriate times those things become available, we’ll figure that stuff out when the time comes.”
When asked if Packers officials need to see the video to determine what to do about Jacobs, Gutekunst said, “Again, we’re going to lean on the legal process and let that happen. But we’ll take things as they come.”
Menawhile, LaFleur was asked, “It does sound like you’re supporting him, at least as a person. Do you think it was important to have individual conversations with him to get his side of things. Why are you supportive of him?”
“There were many conversations, obviously, and certainly don’t know all the details, but what he tells, I believe him and I trust him. I’m going to do that until proven otherwise,” LaFleur said.
He also mentioned Jacobs will be present at the team facility, but he can not practice or play while on the exempt list.
Marshawn Lloyd, who is set to be Green Bay’s starting running back with Jacobs’ status to be determined, said he has his teammate’s back.
“Just there for there for my brother. We talk a lot, just being able to be there for him, let him know that I’m always there,” Lloyd said.
“Because that was a guy that was, going through my process the last few years, he was always the guy that I looked up to who helped me throughout the process, so I feel for him. He’s a brother forever. So I contact him all the time, talk to him every day. That’s my boy. I only wish nothing the best for him.”
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