Full Breakdown
Josh Jacobs Removed from NFL Commissioner Exempt List, Eligible for Week 7 Return
By Drooid · · How we work
Removal from the Commissioner Exempt List
The National Football League announced that Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs will be taken off the Commissioner Exempt List on Monday, ending a six-game paid leave that began after his August 30 placement. Jacobs will be eligible to practice and to play in the Packers’ Week 7 matchup against the Detroit Lions on October 25. The league’s review under its Personal Conduct Policy continues and is not affected by the roster change.
Legal Background and Ongoing Investigation
Jacobs was arrested in May following a domestic disturbance with his then-girlfriend. Police reports note the incident occurred on May 23, with booking on May 26. He pleaded no contest on September 10 to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage, receiving a $1,000 fine for the battery charge and a deferred-judgment agreement for the property charge that could be dismissed after a year if conditions are met.
Both parties have filed lawsuits in Brown County Circuit Court seeking to seal police records, including surveillance video from Jacobs’ garage. The Hobart-Lawrence Police Department has temporarily withheld the records while the statutory waiting period and related court proceedings continue. The NFL has indicated it still seeks the video as part of its investigation.
On-field Impact: Packers’ Rushing Struggles
Green Bay’s offense has faltered without Jacobs. Through the first five games, the Packers have averaged 60.4 rushing yards per game, the lowest total in the league, and 3.1 yards per carry, second-to-last. Backup backs MarShawn Lloyd (112 yards, 2.8 yd/carry) and Kaleb Johnson (106 yards, 3.9 yd/carry) have been unable to sustain a productive ground game. Jacobs’ 2024 debut with Green Bay yielded 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns. His return could immediately improve rushing efficiency, though the team will still need to address line play and consistency.
Why It Matters for Green Bay
Restoring a proven, three-time Pro Bowl back gives the Packers a legitimate threat to balance an offense that has relied heavily on quarterback Jordan Love’s passing game (10 passing touchdowns to date). A stronger run game could reduce pressure on the passing attack, improve third-down conversion rates, and help the team climb from its current 3-2 record.
Official Statements & Responses
- NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said the matter “remains under review of the personal conduct policy.”
- Packers head coach Matt LaFleur noted that “what’s improved, I think, is the consistency” of the running backs while Jacobs has been absent.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the status of the surveillance video. Some reports say police have not released the footage, while others note a portion has been viewed by investigators but not made public. The NFL has not confirmed whether it has obtained the video, leaving a key piece of evidence unavailable for assessment. The potential length of any future suspension remains uncertain; the collective bargaining agreement sets a baseline six-game suspension for domestic-violence cases, but the league could impose a longer ban if additional evidence emerges.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The matter remains under review of the personal conduct policy,” — chief NFL spokesperson
- “What’s improved, I think, is the consistency,” — Matt LaFleur, coach
What’s Next
The NFL may still issue disciplinary action after reviewing the withheld video, and any suspension longer than six games would extend Jacobs’ time away beyond the games already missed on the exempt list. Should the investigation remain unresolved by the November 10 trade deadline, Green Bay could explore acquiring a veteran running back as a contingency plan.