Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is set to play Sunday for the first time since his arrest on domestic violence charges earlier this year. The team activated him from the commissioner's exempt list on Saturday, and he is expected to be the Packers' lead back in their NFC North matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Jacobs was placed on the commissioner's exempt list on Aug. 30, three days after charges were filed against him. That status barred him from playing and practicing, and he missed the team's first six games. He could still attend meetings and work out with the team's strength and conditioning staff, but he was not permitted to take part in practices or other team activities, according to head coach Matt LaFleur.
Jacobs has pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. The NFL has said that removing him from the exempt list does not end its investigation into the matter, though it allows him to return to the Packers. The league's review is continuing.
The Packers (4-2) have won three straight games but have struggled to run the ball. They are averaging just 59.8 yards rushing per game, 16.2 fewer than any other team in the league, and they rank last in yards per carry at 2.9. Rookie and backup options MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson and Pierre Strong Jr. have all received opportunities, but none has produced consistently.
Jacobs had a strong recent record before the incident. He rushed for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, averaging 4 yards per carry, after rushing for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024, a season that earned him a Pro Bowl selection.
Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Jacobs expressed remorse. "Excited to be back with the team, with the guys," he said. "I want to say thank you to the organization really for supporting me throughout this whole process and how everything played out." He added that he could not discuss many specifics but said he was "remorseful, and sorry for putting this (team) in this situation." He also said he had "learned a lot throughout this whole process, legally and just personally."
Jacobs also filed a civil suit last week seeking an injunction and a protective order covering evidence, specifically surveillance footage of the incident. The order would restrict access to records in the case. The Packers and Lions kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET.