Josh Jacobs, Green Bay’s star running back, is officially on the commissioner’s exempt list, sidelined by two misdemeanor charges from a late May arrest that include battery and criminal damage to property. This isn’t just some minor camp setback; this is about Jacobs’ immediate future with the team, and the Green Bay front office is playing a tough waiting game right now.
GM Gutekunst Waiting for the Legal Cards to Fall
Green Bay General Manager Brian Gutekunst isn’t making any rash moves, stating he’s letting the legal process unfold before deciding on Jacobs’ future. He’s upfront about being “uncertain” if Jacobs will even hit the field this season, although he’s still “hopeful” the running back will return. Gutekunst did say they “would expect” Jacobs to play, but he’s also clearly got a contingency plan because they’ll “be prepared either way.” The big hold-up? NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell holds the sole power on how long Jacobs stays on that exempt list. If the team knows, they aren’t spilling any tea. Releasing Jacobs would clear things up, but Gutekunst isn’t in a rush, saying they’ll “let the process play out before we make any kind of those decisions.” You’ve gotta respect the patience, but man, that’s gotta be tough for the fans.
The Charges and Green Bay’s Stance
The charges against Jacobs, levied on August 30, stem from a detailed report by the Brown County District Attorney’s office. This report mentions video surveillance from Jacobs’ home showing him throwing a woman to the ground, which apparently left her with a bump on her head. On top of that, he’s also accused of destroying her phone. Gutekunst confirmed he hasn’t seen the video, adding, “Those are legal things going on right now. So we’ll let those play out. That’s really not for us.” Meanwhile, Coach Matt LaFleur says Jacobs will still be around the team, and the squad’s feelings for their running back haven’t changed. LaFleur expressed “a lot of love and care for how is as a person, who he is as a teammate,” acknowledging it as a “very unfortunate situation” they just have to deal with. It’s a tricky line to walk for sure.
Green Bay’s 53-man roster, led by quarterback Jordan Love, who’s in his seventh year and fourth as the starter, was finalized on August 30. With Jacobs on the exempt list, and other key players like Micah Parsons, Luke Musgrave, and Jordon Riley on the physically unable to perform list, plus Savion Williams and Collin Oliver on injured reserve, the depth chart is already getting tested. What a way to kick off the regular season, huh? The uncertainty around Jacobs is a massive cloud hanging over that backfield as the season gets underway.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply