Josh Jacobs on NFL commissioner exempt list as LaFleur stands by RB
The NFL placed Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs on the commissioner exempt list on Sunday, barring him from practice and games while the league reviews his May arrest. Coach Matt LaFleur said Friday he "fully anticipates" Jacobs remaining on the team, but Green Bay opens at Minnesota on Sept. 13 without its starting back.
Jacobs' placement on the commissioners exempt list is an administrative step, not a final ruling. He will continue to be paid while sidelined, though the NFL can still issue a separate suspension. The move follows formal misdemeanor charges filed last week and LaFleur's comments after Green Bay's preseason finale against Arizona. For more breaking sports coverage, see our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
Key Takeaways
- The NFL placed Josh Jacobs on the commissioner exempt list Sunday, keeping him off the field while his offseason arrest remains under review.
- LaFleur said Friday he "fully anticipates" Jacobs being a member of the team, but the league does not need to wait for court proceedings to discipline him.
- Jacobs faces misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges; his initial court appearance is Nov. 17.
- GM Brian Gutekunst said Green Bay prepared for a possible suspension or exempt-list placement and traded for Kaleb Johnson on Sunday.
- The Packers open the 2026 season at the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 13.
Why did the NFL place Josh Jacobs on the commissioner exempt list?
The league announced Sunday that Jacobs had been placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List after his arrest earlier this year in Wisconsin. While on the list, he cannot practice or play, though he remains on the payroll. It is unclear how long he will stay on it.
Jacobs was arrested May 26 on five counts, including one felony, after an alleged incident May 23 at his home near Green Bay. According to the criminal complaint cited by ESPN, Jacobs grabbed a woman and threw her to the ground, and she struck her head. Formal charges of battery and criminal damage to property, both misdemeanors, were filed Thursday.
An NFL spokesperson said Thursday the matter "remains under review." Jacobs' representation called the exempt-list placement "an administrative procedure used by the NFL while a matter is being reviewed" and said he respects the process and looks forward to returning.
What did Matt LaFleur say about Jacobs' future with the Packers?
Speaking Friday after Green Bay's 42-38 preseason win over Arizona, LaFleur addressed Jacobs' status directly. "I fully anticipate him being a member of our team," he said. "You've got to let everything play out. But I anticipate him being a member of our football team."
Jacobs was among 37 Packers who did not dress for the preseason finale, but LaFleur rested most starters and said the absence was unrelated to the legal case. When asked whether Jacobs might miss Week 1 due to league discipline, LaFleur replied, "I can't really comment on that because I don't know."
The Packers released a statement Thursday: "We are aware of the charges brought against Josh Jacobs. We will continue to cooperate with the NFL as we work through the process. We will have no further comment at this time."
What charges does Josh Jacobs face?
Brown County prosecutors charged Jacobs with battery and criminal damage to property, both misdemeanors in Wisconsin. The original May arrest included five counts related to domestic abuse, including one felony, but those were not filed as charged.
Jacobs has denied the allegations. He was in police custody for about a day before being released, then returned to the team and prepared for the season while the NFL launched its own investigation. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 17.
How will the Packers replace Jacobs to start the season?
GM Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday the team had been preparing for a possible suspension or exempt-list placement. "We've obviously been preparing for that in case that happens," he said. "But at the same time, I feel really good about the guys we have in that room."
With Jacobs sidelined, workload likely shifts to Chris Brooks and MarShawn Lloyd. Brooks had 106 rushing yards on 27 attempts last season; Lloyd, a 2024 third-round pick, has appeared in one game due to injuries. Green Bay also traded for running back Kaleb Johnson from Pittsburgh on Sunday; Johnson had 69 rushing yards on 28 carries with the Steelers.
Jacobs rushed for 929 yards and 14 total touchdowns in 2025, his second season with Green Bay after signing a four-year, $48 million deal. The Packers went 9-7-1 and reached the playoffs before a wild-card exit. LaFleur's confidence that Jacobs stays on the roster contrasts with the immediate reality that Green Bay must plan to open without him.