Josh Jacobs Stirs Controversy by Seemingly Doing Handcuffs Celebration After Scoring TD in Packers vs. Panthers TNF Game

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs controversially celebrated his touchdown against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday. After scoring a one-yard rushing touchdown, Jacobs put his hands behind his back in a gesture that seemed to mimic being handcuffed.

Jacobs was arrested in May following a confrontation with his girlfriend at his home in Hobart, Wisconsin. Three months later, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges on Sept. 10. The running back missed the first six games of the 2026 season after being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list.

With Jacobs’ rushing score, the Packers took a 13-10 lead over Carolina. They extended their lead to 20-10 on another scoring drive that ended with a touchdown pass from quarterback Jordan Love to Matthew Golden.

The Packers scored one more touchdown in the third quarter to take a 27-10 lead. Love connected with Jacobs for a four-yard touchdown. Carolina scored a third-quarter field goal and a touchdown with 5:37 remaining. However, it wasn’t enough, as the Packers improved to 5-3 with a 27-19 win.

Jacobs finished with 39 yards and a score on 21 carries. He also caught six passes for 13 yards, including a touchdown.

The incident between Josh Jacobs and his girlfriend happened on May 23. According to the criminal complaint, the running back’s girlfriend told police she discovered Jacobs was communicating with another woman and threw away his phone.

The two confronted each other, per ABC7 New York. After the woman tried to retrieve her phone, which was allegedly with Jacobs, a physical struggle ensued and they eventually left the residence in different vehicles before returning.

According to the report, when Jacobs’ girlfriend was trying to leave through the garage, she tried to contact police with her second phone. According to police, the Packers star grabbed her and threw her to the ground, took the phone, damaged it and then returned it 40 seconds later in bad condition.

Officers reportedly noted redness on her face and neck and a bump on the back of her head. Garage surveillance footage corroborated parts of her account, they said.

Three days later, Jacobs was arrested; he subsequently pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage charges. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, plus court costs.

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