Packers RB Josh Jacobs Placed on Commissioner’s Exempt List Ahead of Season
- Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs will open the 2026 NFL regular season on the commissioner's exempt list, according to an announcement by the league on Sunday,...
- The league's disciplinary action stems from a May 2026 arrest in Wisconsin where Jacobs was initially booked on five criminal complaints, which included felony strangulation and suffocation, domestic...
- Prior to the league's Sunday announcement regarding the exempt list, the Packers executed a trade to acquire running back Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to reporting...
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs will open the 2026 NFL regular season on the commissioner’s exempt list, according to an announcement by the league on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. The administrative roster move bars Jacobs from practicing or attending games while the NFL reviews a criminal matter involving the player, though he will continue to receive his salary and will not count against the team’s 53-man roster limit, according to reporting by ESPN and NFL.com.
Misdemeanor Charges and Legal Status
The league’s disciplinary action stems from a May 2026 arrest in Wisconsin where Jacobs was initially booked on five criminal complaints, which included felony strangulation and suffocation, domestic abuse battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, and victim intimidation, according to the main source material. On Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, the Brown County District Attorney formally reduced those initial accusations to two misdemeanor counts: battery and criminal damage to property. Chesnoff, Richard A. Duchac III—issued a statement on Sunday maintaining that the running back denies any wrongdoing regarding the allegations, noting that placement on the exempt list is not a final determination
and that Josh respects the NFL process, the Packers, and his coaches and teammates,
as obtained by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport on NFL.com. Jacobs has an initial court appearance scheduled in the matter for Nov. 17, 2026, according to ESPN.
https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2094130283805126896
Roster Adjustments and Replacement Options
Prior to the league’s Sunday announcement regarding the exempt list, the Packers executed a trade to acquire running back Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to reporting from ESPN and NFL.com. The Steelers originally selected Johnson at No. 83 in the draft, but the Iowa product rushed for just 69 yards on 28 carries across 10 appearances during his rookie campaign. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst stated on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, that the organization was preparing
for a potential suspension for Jacobs, as reported by The Athletic. Ahead of the team’s regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 13, 2026, head coach Matt LaFleur and the coaching staff are expected to lean on additional backfield depth featuring MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks alongside the newly acquired Johnson, according to ESPN and NFL.com. Lloyd missed significant time during his first two professional seasons due to injuries, appearing in only one career game as a 2024 third-round draft choice.
Career Background and Contract Details
Jacobs, 28, enters the 2026 campaign in the third year of a four-year, $48 million contract signed with Green Bay as a free agent in 2024. During his debut season with the Packers in 2024 and his subsequent 2025 campaign, the veteran runner accumulated steady production, recording 929 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 4.0 yards per carry last season alongside 282 receiving yards. Originally selected 24th overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2019 NFL Draft, Jacobs spent his first five professional seasons with the Raiders franchise through 2023, earning three Pro Bowl nods and securing the NFL rushing title with 1,653 yards during an All-Pro season in 2022. Across his career, Jacobs has compiled 7,803 rushing yards and 74 rushing touchdowns.
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