Packers, Josh Jacobs get major update about potential suspension

Green Bay Packers star running back Josh Jacobs remains on the commissioner's exempt list after he reached a plea deal related to his May arrest in Wisconsin. 

Attorneys representing the reported victim regarding this matter had "filed a motion to permanently seal evidence and discovery materials in the criminal case" amid her "desire to protect her privacy, particularly in light of Mr. Jacobs taking responsibility for his actions in the criminal proceeding." On Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN shared an update on that request.

Evidence in Josh Jacobs case won't be permanently sealed 

According to Demovsky, the judge presiding over the case denied the request to permanently seal evidence. One piece of evidence includes surveillance video of the incident involving Jacobs and a woman said to be his ex-girlfriend. 

Demovsky previously noted that the criminal complaint related to the matter says that the woman was attempting to leave Jacobs' garage when he "grabbed her and threw her to the ground and she struck her head, suffering an injury." She also accused Jacobs of not returning one of her phones and of damaging a different phone. 

What this update may mean for Josh Jacobs' punishment

As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explained, the NFL is investigating the matter to determine how Jacobs will be punished under its personal conduct policy. It now seems likely that the league will attempt to review the previously mentioned video evidence, which potentially wouldn't have been possible had the evidence been permanently sealed. 

"If the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department decides to release the evidence," Demovsky added, "the victim or Jacobs will be entitled to appeal before anything is released."

Jacobs cannot play while on the commissioner's exempt list, but the games he misses while on paid leave could count toward any suspension he eventually receives. It remains unclear when the NFL will make a final ruling on his punishment, but a decision presumably won't come before the league learns whether or not it can review the video.

As for the Packers, 1-1 Green Bay is hosting the 0-2 Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night (Sept. 24).