Packers Running Back Josh Jacobs Activated After Suspension for Battery Incident
Jacobs returns to the Green Bay Packers roster and is expected to start after spending six weeks on the commissioner's exempt list following his arrest.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been activated and is expected to start in Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions, marking his return to play after six weeks on the commissioner's exempt list. The NFL placed Jacobs on the list on August 30, following his arrest on misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges stemming from an incident in May.
Jacobs pleaded no contest to both charges. The league's investigation into the matter is ongoing, though his activation does not preclude further disciplinary action. If the NFL suspends him for six games or fewer, Jacobs will have already served the time while on the exempt list.
"I'm remorseful and sorry for putting this team in this situation," Jacobs told reporters this week, according to The Athletic. "Sometimes when you go through life, situations occur, and a four-second, three-second decision can alter your life, honestly." He added that he has learned a lot from the experience.
The incident involved allegations of Jacobs grabbing his then-girlfriend and throwing her to the ground at his Wisconsin home, with her phone allegedly broken in the process.
During his absence, the Packers have won three consecutive games and hold a 4-2 record. However, the team's rushing attack has struggled, averaging 59.8 yards per game, the lowest in the league, with a 2.9 yards per carry average. Last season, Jacobs rushed for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns, following a 2024 season where he gained 1,329 yards and scored 15 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection. He previously spent his first five NFL seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders and is under contract with the Packers through the 2027 season.
Jacobs was permitted to participate in team meetings and conditioning with strength coaches while on the exempt list, but was barred from practices and team activities. Head coach Matt LaFleur noted that Jacobs' return addresses a significant need for the team's struggling run game.