Josh Jacobs is officially off the NFL’s Commissioner Exempt list after Week 6, and man, the questions about his role with the Green Bay Packers are absolutely flying right now. After missing well over a month, everyone’s wondering about his workload and when we’ll actually see him back on the field. Turns out, it’s not gonna be as straightforward as we might have thought.
The Packers Are Playing It Smart, Not Simple, With Jacobs’ Comeback
Rob Domovsky over at ESPN dropped a huge update on the Packers’ plans, and it’s clear Matt LaFleur isn’t taking any shortcuts. LaFleur confirmed that Jacobs will practice on Wednesday and get a full week of work. That’s a huge positive, making you think he’s a lock for Week 7, right? Not so fast. The coach said it’s still “TBD on whether he’ll play on Sunday at Detroit,” even with a full week under his belt. LaFleur explained, “We feel like he’s in a pretty good spot. He’s been training, but he’s missed the exposure to football.” That’s the key right there, isn’t it? There’s a massive difference between grinding in training and actually being ready for the brutal contact of an NFL game, especially for a running back.
Why Green Bay Isn’t Rushing the Star Back
This plan from the Packers makes total sense, honestly. While they’ll likely activate him if they think he’s truly ready for NFL contact, they’re not afraid to make him a healthy scratch for a week if he’s not there yet. It’s a long season, and sitting pretty at 4-2, the Packers have absolutely no reason to rush Jacobs back onto the field if he isn’t 100% prepared for those big hits. Working out and staying in shape is one thing; taking on NFL defenders every snap is another. They’re intent on working him back into the offense during practice, really seeing where he’s at physically and mentally. If everything goes smoothly, then Jacobs might play.
So, the focus is all on practice this week. Green Bay is going to push Jacobs to get up to speed. If all goes well and he proves he’s ready for the physicality of Sunday, we could see him out there against the Lions. If not, expect them to hold him out, playing the long game for a full season ahead.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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