Josh Jacobs placed on NFL Commissioner's Exempt List

Last updated: August 30, 2026, 6:33 PM UTC

Zero practices and zero games are permitted for Josh Jacobs while he remains on the NFL's Commissioner's Exempt List. The league placed the Green Bay Packers running back on the list Sunday after he was formally charged with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. The move leaves Green Bay preparing for the start of the 2026 season without its leading veteran running back while both the legal case and the NFL's review remain unresolved.

The Story at a Glance

The NFL announced August 30 that Jacobs had been placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List. Under the league's Personal Conduct Policy, the designation functions as paid administrative leave: Jacobs continues to be paid but cannot practice or attend games while he is listed.

The decision followed charges filed August 27 by the Brown County, Wisconsin, District Attorney's office. Jacobs faces misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property stemming from a May incident that police described as a physical confrontation with his girlfriend. He had initially been arrested in May on five counts, including felony strangulation, before the two misdemeanor charges were formally filed.

Jacobs' attorneys emphasized that distinction in a statement reported by NFL.com.

It is not a final determination. Josh respects the NFL process, the Packers, and his coaches and teammates. He looks forward to his return to the team and the NFL.

How the Story Developed

The case traces back to May, when police were called to Jacobs' home following a disturbance. NFL.com reported that Jacobs was arrested May 26 and released from jail the following day. The district attorney's office later filed the two misdemeanor charges on August 27.

Green Bay acknowledged the charges that day and said it would cooperate with the NFL. After the Packers' final preseason game on August 28, coach Matt LaFleur said he expected Jacobs to remain with the franchise, although he could not say whether the running back would be available for the September 13 regular-season opener at Minnesota.

Two days later, the NFL formally moved Jacobs to the exempt list. The timing also carries a roster consequence: The Athletic reported that Jacobs will not count against Green Bay's initial 53-man roster. Earlier Sunday, the Packers traded with the Pittsburgh Steelers for running back Kaleb Johnson, adding depth before the league's roster deadline.

Key People and Details

Jacobs, 28, is entering his third season with Green Bay. According to NFL.com, he rushed for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns last season after posting 1,329 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. The league also lists him as a three-time Pro Bowler with 7,803 career rushing yards and 74 rushing touchdowns.

With Jacobs unavailable, Green Bay is expected to turn to MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks and newly acquired Kaleb Johnson. Lloyd has had limited regular-season action because of injuries, making the backfield's redistribution of carries one of the immediate football consequences of the decision.

USA Today reported that Jacobs' initial court appearance is scheduled for November 17. The NFL, however, does not have to wait until the criminal process is complete before making a separate decision under its Personal Conduct Policy.

Reaction and Response

LaFleur has publicly indicated that the Packers do not currently plan to move on from Jacobs. After the team's preseason finale, he told reporters:

I fully anticipate him being a member of our team.

General manager Brian Gutekunst had already said Green Bay was preparing for the possibility that Jacobs could miss time. The Packers' acquisition of Johnson now gives the team another option behind Lloyd as the season approaches.

Jacobs' representation, meanwhile, said he respects the NFL's process and described placement on the list as an administrative procedure rather than a final judgment.

What to Watch

The biggest unanswered question is how long Jacobs will remain unavailable. The sources provide no fixed timetable, and only NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell can remove him from the exempt list. The league also has not announced a suspension.

For Green Bay, the next practical issue is how Lloyd, Johnson and Brooks divide the workload if Jacobs remains out for the September 13 opener. For fantasy football players, that uncertainty makes Green Bay's changing depth chart especially relevant before drafts and early-season waiver decisions.

The legal timeline will continue separately. Jacobs' November 17 court appearance is the next specific date identified in the available reporting, while the NFL can continue its own review before then.

FAQ

Why was Josh Jacobs placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List?

The NFL placed Jacobs on the list after he was charged with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property stemming from a May incident. The league is reviewing the matter under its Personal Conduct Policy.

Can Josh Jacobs play or practice while on the exempt list?

No. Jacobs cannot practice or attend games. With club permission, he may be allowed at the team facility for limited activities such as meetings, individual workouts, therapy and rehabilitation.

Is Josh Jacobs suspended by the NFL?

No suspension has been announced. The Commissioner's Exempt List is an administrative measure, and Jacobs' attorneys have stressed that it is not a final determination.

Who replaces Josh Jacobs for the Packers?

MarShawn Lloyd is positioned for a larger role, with Kaleb Johnson and Chris Brooks also available in Green Bay's backfield.

When is Josh Jacobs due in court?

USA Today reported that his initial court appearance is scheduled for November 17, 2026.