For five weeks to start the season, one of the Green Bay Packers' key offensive playmakers has been ineligible to play during the NFL's ongoing investigation into his legal case. He could return soon.
Veteran running back Josh Jacobs will be removed from the commissioner's exempt list on Monday, Oct. 19, the NFL said in a statement.
Jacobs has been on the commissioner's exempt list – a form of paid administrative leave – since Aug. 30 after he was charged with two misdemeanors. Both charges stemmed from an incident involving his ex-girlfriend in May and his subsequent arrest. Players on the list are not allowed to practice or attend games, and time on the exempt list can count toward a suspension retroactively if the league hands down such a punishment
after its investigation.
The eighth-year running back reached a plea deal earlier this month for his two misdemeanor charges – one for battery, one for criminal damage to property – but the NFL's investigation is still ongoing.
"The NFL initiated an investigation under the Personal Conduct Policy following Jacobs' arrest in May," the league's Oct. 16 statement said. "The league's review remains ongoing and is not affected by this change to Jacobs' roster status."
The NFL's decision to remove Jacobs from the exempt list one day after the Packers' sixth game means the veteran would have essentially served a six-game suspension. That matches the length of a standard suspension for a domestic violence case, according to the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFLPA. Suspensions can be longer depending on the severity of the case.
Here's what to know:
Is Josh Jacobs playing today?
No, Jacobs is still on the commissioner's exempt list on Sunday, Oct. 18, meaning he will be ineligible to play in Week 6. The veteran is set to be removed from the exempt list on Oct. 19, so Jacobs will be able to make his 2026 debut in Week 7 barring any changes to the NFL's investigation into his conduct.
Josh Jacobs update: Latest news from court case
Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property during a court appearance on Thursday, Sept. 10.
As part of an announced plea deal, the 28-year-old was found guilty on the charge of battery and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus costs.
For the second charge of criminal damage to property, Jacobs reached a deferred judgment agreement. He will have to meet a list of conditions for the next 12 months in order to have that charge dismissed by the state: no further criminal acts, no contact with the victim, supervision, counseling and restitution payment to the victim.
The presiding judge temporarily sealed the evidence from the case on Sept. 10 after Jacobs' no-contest plea.
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, attorneys representing Jacobs' ex-girlfriend, who is not identified by name in court documents, filed a motion to permanently seal the evidence and discovery materials. If approved, the motion could have prevented the NFL from reviewing surveillance camera footage of the incident as part of its investigation into Jacobs. NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport was the first to report that the league requested access to the video.
On Thursday, Sept. 17, the judge rejected the proposed order to seal the evidence, with online court records citing "improper format." At a follow-up hearing on Sept. 24, the Brown County Court Judge lifted a temporary order that sealed records in the case.
On Wednesday, Oct. 14, Jacobs and his ex-girlfriend each filed injunctions against the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department in an attempt to stop police from releasing the video to the public. Jacobs wants a protective order to permanently seal all records in the case, while his ex-girlfriend wants to restrict only video and other information that could potentially identify her.
Jacobs' ex-girlfriend's attorneys have argued that the sealing of evidence is within her rights under Marsy's Law – a recently added amendment to Wisconsin's state constitution that gives additional rights to victims of a crime – to protect privacy, dignity and safety.
When will Josh Jacobs return?
Jacobs will be eligible to return in Week 7, when the Packers face the Lions in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Will Josh Jacobs be suspended?
So far, it is unclear whether Jacobs will face further discipline from the NFL. The league has said the running back is still under investigation for a violation of its personal conduct policy following his arrest, misdemeanor charges and plea deal.
Should Jacobs be suspended further, his six games spent on the commissioner's exempt list will count toward the imposed suspension. Jacobs would have to forfeit salary he earned while on the exempt list and remain unpaid throughout any formal suspension.
By keeping Jacobs on the exempt list for six games, the NFL is matching the length of a standard suspension for a domestic violence case, according to the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFLPA.
The league is still seeking to obtain video evidence of the altercation between Jacobs and his ex-girlfriend to determine its severity. The NFL could impose a longer suspension for the running back if their investigation concludes it is necessary.
If the NFL decides to move forward without the video or is unable to obtain it, that could impact the decision on the length of any future suspension.
USA TODAY Sports' Nick Brinkerhoff and Danielle Lerner contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When is Josh Jacobs coming back? What to know about Packers RB
