Packers Activate Josh Jacobs Amid Ongoing Domestic Battery Investigation

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been activated and is expected to make his 2026 season debut against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Jacobs was added to the active roster on Saturday after being removed from the NFL's exempt list earlier in the week. The 28-year-old missed the first six games of the season amid the league's investigation into allegations of domestic abuse.

The Packers went 4-2 without Jacobs, despite their ground game ranking last in the NFL with just 59.8 yards per game rushing.

Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property following a May altercation with his then-girlfriend. He was charged in August. Police stated that surveillance footage corroborated the woman's accusations of battery and the destruction of her phone, with Jacobs accused of grabbing the woman and throwing her to the floor of his garage, causing her to hit her head.

Last month, Jacobs was ordered to attend counseling and pay restitution to the victim. The NFL's investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the six games he has already missed could count towards any suspension he may receive.

"I thought I'd be playing sooner," Jacobs told reporters this week. "But, you know, the optics of everything, I understand the other side. For me, like I said, I'm just grateful to be able to play. It was one of them things where I didn't want to sit the whole year and then figure it out. I'm just grateful to be back on the team and to be back playing."

Jacobs also expressed remorse for causing a distraction to the team. "Obviously, man, I'm remorseful and sorry for putting this team in this situation," the running back said. "Sometimes when you go through life, situations occur and a four-second, three-second decision can alter your life, honestly."

In a statement, Jacobs' attorneys said: "Josh has dedicated the last several months to bettering himself, and he accepts responsibility for his actions. He is excited to get back to work and on the field with his teammates. Josh is grateful for the support he is receiving from his teammates, coaches, the Packers organization, and the greatest fans in the world. Since there are ongoing legal matters, he will not have any further comment."

Jacobs recently filed a lawsuit against a Wisconsin police department seeking to have records and evidence from his battery case permanently sealed. A district judge had previously canceled a temporary order sealing the evidence at the victim's request, leaving the decision of whether to release it to local police, who have thus far declined to share it publicly. Attorneys for the victim also filed a motion in September to seal the records. Jacobs' lawsuit cited the victim's motion in arguing that the evidence should remain sealed, with his attorney stating that Jacobs supports the victim's position that sensitive records should not be publicly released.

Jacobs' attorney also cited recent robberies at the homes of famous athletes as a reason for sealing the evidence, arguing that public availability of Jacobs' schedule or travel information could increase the risk of his property being targeted. "The public availability of [Jacobs'] schedule or travel information increases the risk that persons could identify periods when [Jacobs] is away from home and use released information concerning the residence, garage, access points, security arrangements, or property to target the property," read a portion of the lawsuit. "Widespread public dissemination of those details would materially increase [Jacobs'] vulnerability to theft, burglary, robbery, trespass, or other targeted criminal conduct."