Josh Jacobs Placed on Exempt List

Josh Jacobs was placed on the NFL's commissioner's exempt list on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, the league announced. FOX Sports and Yahoo Sports both reported the Green Bay Packers running back cannot practice or play while he is on the list. He will still be paid. Yahoo, citing NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, carried a statement from Jacobs' representation calling it "an administrative procedure used by the NFL while a matter is being reviewed. It is not a final determination."

The review follows a May arrest in Wisconsin. FOX Sports listed the original five charges as strangulation and suffocation, battery-domestic abuse, criminal damage to property-domestic abuse, disorderly conduct-domestic abuse, and intimidation of a victim. FOX also wrote that Jacobs' lawyers said at the time of his May release that he denied any wrongdoing. On Thursday the Brown County District Attorney reduced the case to two misdemeanors: battery and criminal damage to property. These are charges, not a conviction.

What does the commissioner's exempt list mean for Jacobs?

No practice. No games. Pay continues. FOX Sports said players typically land there while the league is still reviewing whether to issue further discipline, and that a suspension can still follow. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday the club was "preparing" for a Jacobs suspension, FOX wrote, citing The Athletic. The Athletic's cutdown live blog added that neither Jacobs nor Broncos edge rusher Jonathon Cooper will appear on their teams' initial 53-man rosters, and that Jacobs' court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 17, 2026.

"Josh respects the NFL process, the Packers, and his coaches and teammates. He looks forward to his return to the team and the NFL," the representation statement said, via Rapoport and Yahoo. Search Josh Jacobs exempt list or Jacobs suspension and that is the status as of Sunday: administrative hold, not a verdict, Week 1 already gone.

Who runs for the Packers without Josh Jacobs?

The Athletic's live blog said MarShawn Lloyd vaults to RB1. Lloyd, a 2024 third-round pick, has appeared in one game because of injuries. Yahoo also named Chris Brooks, 27 carries for 106 yards last season. FOX Sports noted Green Bay acquired running back Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, before the exempt-list news. Jacobs, 28, is in year three of a four-year, $48 million deal, FOX wrote. Last season: 929 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns, 4.0 yards per carry, 282 receiving yards. He led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards as a Raider in 2022.

Cutdown Sunday already had a legal story in Keenan Allen's preliminary OVWI charges. This one is a roster hole in Green Bay. The Packers also moved Kyle McCord to Miami this weekend. Jacobs is not waived. He is parked. The league is reviewing. The next word belongs to the NFL's process, the court date, and whoever gets the first-down carries in Week 1.

Josh Jacobs exempt list FAQ

Why is Josh Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list? The NFL placed him there Sunday while it reviews his May Wisconsin arrest. FOX Sports said the original charges were reduced Thursday to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property. He has not been convicted.

Can Josh Jacobs play Week 1? No. FOX Sports and Yahoo reported he cannot practice or play while on the list. He continues to be paid.

Did the Packers cut Josh Jacobs? No. The Athletic's live blog said exempt-list players are not on the initial 53. He is still under contract on a four-year, $48 million deal, per FOX.