Packers running back Josh Jacobs activated and active vs Lions after exempt list
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
The Packers added running back Josh Jacobs to the active roster and he is active against Detroit.
Green Bay ranked last in rushing without him; the NFL could still add discipline.
Background
Josh Jacobs is a three-time Pro Bowl running back for the Green Bay Packers. A May 23 incident with a woman at his home near Green Bay led the NFL to place him on the commissioner's exempt list, which barred him from playing or practicing, and he missed the first six games of the season. He pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage of property charges, and the Packers activated him ahead of Sunday's NFC North game at the Detroit Lions. The NFL says it is still investigating under its Personal Conduct Policy, so further discipline remains possible.
How it unfolded
- May 23, 2026An incident with a woman at Jacobs' home near Green Bay led the NFL to place him on the commissioner exempt list.
- May 26, 2026Jacobs was arrested three days after police came to his Wisconsin home to investigate a disturbance.
- Aug 30, 2026The NFL placed Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list shortly after charges were filed against him.
- Oct 10, 2026Jacobs pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors, battery and criminal damage to property.
- Oct 19, 2026The NFL announced Jacobs would come off the exempt list the following Monday, with a one-game roster exemption set to expire Oct. 26.
- Oct 21, 2026Jacobs returned to practice and spoke to reporters for the first time since his plea, saying he was remorseful and sorry.
- Oct 23, 2026Coach Matt LaFleur said he believes Jacobs has shown what's needed to be available for the divisional matchup.
- Oct 24, 2026The Packers added Jacobs to the active roster from the exempt list.
- Oct 25, 2026Jacobs is active against the Detroit Lions, his first game since the plea.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Coach Matt LaFleur said Jacobs is in a pretty good spot and called him an elite-level back who can provide a spark, while noting he has missed exposure to football.
- Caution
- The NFL is still investigating the incident under its Personal Conduct Policy and could hand out more discipline.
- Public
- Jacobs said he is remorseful and sorry for putting the team in this situation, and that he understands the optics of the other side.
Still unverified
Jacobs' availability for Sunday's game against Detroit was not confirmed as of the Oct. 19 report, and it remains to be seen how much the Packers will ask of him with just one week of practice.