dpUpdated Sept. 24, 2026, 9:50 a.m. ET
The Green Bay Packers will be without their usual starting running back yet again in their Week 3 “Thursday Night Football” game.
Josh Jacobs remains on the commissioner’s exempt list for a third game as his court case plays out. The eighth-year running back reached a plea deal earlier this month for two misdemeanor charges – one for battery, one for criminal damage to property – but the NFL’s investigation is still ongoing.
Jacobs’ two charges stemmed from an incident involving his ex-girlfriend in May and his subsequent arrest.
The NFL placed Jacobs on the commissioner’s exempt list – a form of paid administrative leave – on Aug. 30. 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.
One of the main reasons for the hold-up in determining disciplinary action against Jacobs is the league’s desire to see a video of the incident that led to the running back’s arrest. The victim, Jacobs’ ex-girlfriend, has petitioned the court to permanently seal evidence from the case, including the video. Her attorneys argue 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 her privacy, dignity and safety.
Here’s what to know:
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, identified in court documents only as “ANM,” filed a motion to permanently seal the evidence and discovery materials. If approved, the motion would prevent 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.” The matter is “pending to be addressed” at a hearing set for Sept. 24.
Is Josh Jacobs getting suspended?
Jacobs has been on the commissioner’s exempt list since Aug. 30. The exempt list is a form of administrative leave for players in specific circumstances related to criminal allegations, criminal felony or violence charges or possible violations of the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
According to the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFLPA, a standard suspension for a domestic violence case is six games. Suspensions can be longer depending on the severity of the case, which is part of why the league is trying to access video of the incident.
If Jacobs were to be suspended, any games he missed while on the commissioner’s exempt list would count toward the suspension. The running back would also have to return the salary he earned while on the exempt list and remain unpaid throughout the period in which he’s serving his suspension.
The NFL’s likely eventual discipline for Jacobs is expected to be determined after his case is closed.
When will Josh Jacobs return to the Packers?
The timing of Jacobs’ eventual return to the Packers will be determined by the length of the likely suspension the NFL will impose.
Based on the terms of the CBA, a six-game suspension is expected to be the minimum disciplinary action after Jacobs’ plea included a misdemeanor battery conviction. That means the earliest possible return date for the running back would be in Week 7, when the Packers take on the Lions in Detroit on Oct. 25.
USA TODAY Sports’ Nick Brinkerhoff contributed to this report.
