Packers running back Josh Jacobs activated for Week 7 after exempt list
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The gist
Packers running back Josh Jacobs was activated for Week 7 after missing the first six games on the NFL's Commissioner Exempt list.
Green Bay ranks last in NFL rushing yards, so his return fills a major hole.
Background
Josh Jacobs is a 28-year-old Green Bay Packers running back and a former first-round pick. He had not played for Green Bay this season, spending the first six weeks on the NFL's Commissioner Exempt list, which barred him from team practices and games while his legal matters played out; he was never formally suspended. The list placement followed battery and criminal damage to property charges filed in August 2026 over an alleged May 2026 incident involving his then-girlfriend. His expected return matters on the field because the Packers rank last in the NFL in total rushing yards (359) and average a league-low 59.8 rushing yards per game.
How it unfolded
- May 2026 (alleged)The alleged incident involving Jacobs and his then-girlfriend took place.
- Aug 2026Jacobs was charged with battery and criminal damage to property in connection with his then-girlfriend.
- Oct 21, 2026Jacobs was officially removed from the NFL's Commissioner Exempt list after missing the team's first six games; NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported he would return to practice Wednesday and was expected to debut Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
- Oct 21, 2026Head coach Matt LaFleur said Jacobs' game status for Week 7 was to be determined, and an ESPN report said the Packers still had him on a one-game exemption expiring Oct. 26.
- Oct 23, 2026LaFleur said Jacobs was on track to play against the Lions if he got through Friday's practice and kept trending in the right direction.
- Oct 24, 2026A post announced Jacobs was officially activated for Week 7.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- LaFleur said Jacobs is on track to play Sunday as long as he gets through practice and continues to trend in the right direction.
- Analysts
- Rapoport reported Jacobs has been preliminarily cleared and is expected to play this week, saying the team notes he has kept in good shape.
- Caution
- The league's internal investigation under the Personal Conduct Policy remains open, and the NFL reserves the right to impose further discipline or a formal suspension later.
Still unverified
Speculation continues about whether the NFL will suspend Jacobs; the league's internal investigation remains open. The alleged incident was allegedly caught on an unreleased video, and Rapoport said the league has not seen it.