Josh Jacobs is officially getting off the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List this Monday, a massive move for the Green Bay Packers who’ve been trying to figure out how to win without him all season. The league dropped the news Friday that the star running back can finally return to the practice field, but his saga with the NFL isn’t quite over yet.
The Long Road Back to Lambeau
This whole situation has been wild. Jacobs has been completely away from the team since the season started, all because the NFL decided to investigate his arrest back in May. The whole thing stemmed from an incident with his ex-girlfriend, leading to two misdemeanor charges: one for battery and another for criminal damage to property. It’s been a tough spot for Green Bay, who clearly missed his presence on the field.
Jacobs did eventually reach a plea deal of no contest in September for those charges. But even with that, the NFL didn’t just reinstate him. Nope. They opted to keep their own investigation going, and Jacobs stayed parked on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. Just a quick refresher on that list: it’s basically where the Commissioner can sideline a player temporarily, keeping them off the active roster limit. Clubs have zero say in it; it’s all the Commissioner’s call on who goes on and when they come off.
What Happens Next? And What About Those Missed Games?
So, the big news is Monday, Jacobs can finally practice with the team. But don’t pop the champagne just yet. The NFL made it clear their investigation into Jacobs’ incident is still ongoing, even though he’s off the Exempt List. That’s a huge detail because the league will likely factor in the games he’s already missed when they hand down their final punishment. Think about it: Jacobs has been out for six games this season! That’s a serious chunk of the year. There’s a real chance the league could decide those six missed games are his suspension. How big would that be?
Even if he’s practicing, there’s no guarantee Jacobs will suit up for the Packers’ Week 7 game. Green Bay’s got a matchup against the Detroit Lions next Sunday, then they host the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night in Week 8. Getting Jacobs back on the field, even if it’s just for practice initially, has to be a boost for a team that’s had a slow start trying to find their rhythm without one of their most important guys.
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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