Is Josh Jacobs going to play this year? The latest confirmed update is that the Green Bay Packers running back remains on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List and is unavailable for the team’s Week 3 game against the Atlanta Falcons. His NFL review remains unresolved, so there is still no confirmed return date.
Jacobs has already missed Green Bay’s first two regular-season games. He will also miss the Packers’ Thursday night matchup against Atlanta at Lambeau Field. His absence is connected to the NFL’s ongoing review of his legal case, rather than a football injury.
The situation changed significantly on September 10. Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges in Brown County, Wisconsin. He received a $1,000 fine plus court costs on the battery charge, while the criminal-damage charge was placed under a deferred judgment agreement.
That court resolution did not immediately change Jacobs’ NFL status.
The league continues to review the matter under its personal conduct process. Jacobs remains unable to practice or play while he is on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.
Josh Jacobs’ Current Status With the Packers
Jacobs remains a member of the Green Bay Packers and has not been released by the organization.
The team signed him in 2024 after his first five NFL seasons with the Raiders. He remains under contract with Green Bay through the 2027 season.
His current absence therefore does not represent the end of his time with the Packers. Instead, the running back is temporarily unavailable while the NFL determines what action, if any, it will take.
The Commissioner’s Exempt List prevents a player from practicing or participating in games. Jacobs has remained on the list since August 30.
That status also means the Packers cannot simply activate him for a game without the NFL changing his league status.
For Green Bay, the immediate challenge has been replacing one of the team’s most experienced offensive players.
Why Josh Jacobs Is Missing Games
Jacobs is not currently sidelined because of an injury.
The NFL placed him on administrative leave after he faced misdemeanor charges related to a May incident in Wisconsin. The league began reviewing the situation under its personal conduct policy.
The decision came shortly before the regular season began.
Jacobs had participated in Green Bay’s training camp, apart from time missed because of a groin issue. His football preparations were therefore largely underway before the legal situation affected his availability.
The timing created an unexpected problem for the Packers. Green Bay entered the regular season without the running back it had expected to feature prominently in its offense.
Jacobs then missed the season opener and Week 2.
He is now unavailable for Week 3 as well.
What Happened in Jacobs’ Court Case
Jacobs’ legal case reached an important stage on September 10.
He pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges connected to a May incident. The court ordered him to pay a $1,000 fine plus court costs for the battery charge.
The criminal-damage charge received a deferred judgment agreement.
Under the agreement, Jacobs must meet several conditions during the next year. Those conditions include staying out of trouble, avoiding contact with the victim, completing counseling, complying with supervision and paying restitution.
If the requirements are completed, the criminal-damage charge can be dismissed after the specified period.
Jacobs acknowledged the seriousness of the situation during his court appearance and accepted responsibility for his actions.
The court resolution addressed the criminal proceedings. It did not conclude the NFL’s separate review.
That distinction remains central to his football status.
The NFL Review Is Still Ongoing
The NFL has not announced a final suspension for Jacobs as of September 24.
That means reports about a possible suspension should not be treated as an official league decision.
The NFL’s disciplinary process operates separately from the court system. A player can resolve a criminal case and still face league discipline under the personal conduct policy.
Jacobs remains on the Commissioner’s Exempt List while that process continues.
The league has also sought access to video evidence connected with the case. The handling of that evidence became an issue in Brown County court during September.
A court hearing took place on September 24 concerning whether evidence from the case should remain sealed. The judge denied the request to permanently seal the video, citing Wisconsin’s open-records law in the decision.
That development could affect access to evidence being sought as part of the NFL’s review.
It did not, however, produce an immediate change to Jacobs’ NFL status.
Why the Court Evidence Matters to His Football Future
The evidence issue has become an important part of the timeline surrounding Jacobs.
The NFL has been conducting its own review, and access to evidence can be relevant when the league evaluates potential violations of its personal conduct policy.
The dispute over the video has therefore attracted attention beyond the courtroom.
Jacobs remains unavailable while the NFL’s review continues. The September 24 court decision does not automatically clear him to return to football activities.
The league must still determine the appropriate next step.
Until an official decision is announced, there is no reliable way to establish a precise return date.
The Packers Have Not Moved Away From Jacobs
Green Bay has continued to treat Jacobs as part of the organization.
The Packers have not released him, and team officials previously expressed hope that he could return during the 2026 season.
That position is significant because it shows that the club has not publicly closed the door on Jacobs.
At the same time, Green Bay has needed to prepare for his continued absence.
The team acquired running back Kaleb Johnson from Pittsburgh when Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks have also taken on larger roles in the backfield.
Those moves provide Green Bay with options while the situation remains unresolved.
They do not establish a permanent replacement for Jacobs.
Green Bay’s Running Back Situation Without Jacobs
Jacobs entered the season with a substantial track record in Green Bay.
He rushed for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns during his first season with the Packers in 2024. He followed that performance with 929 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025.
His absence therefore created a major change in the team’s offensive plans.
MarShawn Lloyd has received increased opportunities. Chris Brooks has also been involved, particularly in situations requiring versatility from the backfield.
Kaleb Johnson provides another option after joining the Packers in the trade with Pittsburgh.
Green Bay now has to manage its running game without knowing exactly when Jacobs will become available.
That uncertainty makes the NFL’s eventual decision particularly important for the Packers.
Jacobs Remains a Major Part of Green Bay’s Long-Term Plans
There is no indication that Jacobs’ current status has resulted in the Packers ending their relationship with him.
He remains under contract through 2027.
Before the current situation, Jacobs had established himself as one of the most productive running backs in the NFL. He has earned three Pro Bowl selections and led the league in rushing during the 2022 season with the Raiders.
His 2024 campaign with Green Bay also showed why the organization invested heavily in him.
The Packers signed him to become a central part of their offense. His ability to handle significant rushing workloads gave Green Bay a reliable option in the backfield.
His absence has forced the team to redistribute those responsibilities.
Could Jacobs Return During the 2026 Season?
A return during the 2026 season remains possible, but there is no confirmed date.
That is the most important distinction for fans following the situation.
The Packers have previously expressed hope that Jacobs could return at some point this season. However, his availability depends on the NFL’s decision.
Reports have circulated about a potential multi-game suspension. Those reports have not been confirmed as an official NFL ruling.
Until the league announces discipline, it is not possible to state precisely how many games Jacobs will miss.
The Commissioner’s Exempt List also remains in effect.
Therefore, Jacobs cannot simply return because his court case has reached a resolution.
The NFL must first determine his status.
What Happens if the NFL Announces a Suspension?
If the NFL imposes a suspension, the league will establish the terms and duration of that discipline.
The games Jacobs has already missed while on the Commissioner’s Exempt List could factor into the eventual suspension calculation under league rules.
That could affect the timing of his return.
However, the exact application depends on the final disciplinary decision.
For that reason, specific dates circulating online should be viewed carefully until the NFL officially announces the punishment and explains how Jacobs’ time on the exempt list will be handled.
The key fact remains that no final suspension has been announced.
The Packers Are Preparing Without a Definite Return Date
Green Bay cannot build its weekly game plan around an assumed return.
The team must prepare its running game around the players currently available.
That approach has already been visible during the first part of the season.
Lloyd and Brooks have received opportunities, while Johnson provides additional depth.
The Packers can continue operating that way until the NFL provides clarity.
If Jacobs eventually returns, the coaching staff can adjust the workload again. Until then, the current group must handle the position.
This situation also means Green Bay has to balance short-term needs with its longer-term roster plans.
What the September 24 Update Means
The latest developments on September 24 do not change Jacobs’ immediate football status.
He remains on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.
He cannot practice.
He cannot play.
He remains a Packers player.
The NFL has not announced a final suspension.
The court has continued addressing evidence connected with the case, including the dispute over whether video should be sealed.
That makes the current situation easier to summarize than many online reports suggest.
Jacobs is not returning for the Packers’ Week 3 game, and no official date has been announced for his comeback.
What Fans Should Watch Next
The next major development will be an official decision from the NFL.
That announcement should provide the clearest information about Jacobs’ disciplinary status and his ability to return to football activities.
Until then, the Packers will continue without their starting running back.
Fans should also distinguish between confirmed league announcements and reports describing possible suspension lengths.
A reported timeline is not the same as an official return date.
The same applies to speculation surrounding the number of games Jacobs could miss. The league has not publicly finalized that information.
The most reliable update remains his current status on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.
The Bottom Line on Josh Jacobs’ 2026 Season
So, is Josh Jacobs going to play this year?
As of September 24, there is no final answer because the NFL has not completed its disciplinary process.
What is confirmed is that Jacobs remains on the Commissioner’s Exempt List and will not play in Green Bay’s Week 3 game against Atlanta.
He has already missed the first two games of the season.
His September 10 no-contest plea resolved the criminal case at an important stage, but the NFL review continues separately. A September 24 court decision concerning evidence from the case also did not result in an immediate change to his football status.
The Packers have kept Jacobs under contract and have continued preparing their backfield without him.
That leaves the door open for a potential return later in the season, but there is no confirmed date to report right now.
For Packers fans, the next major milestone will be the NFL’s official decision. Until that happens, Jacobs’ status remains unresolved, while Green Bay continues to move forward without one of its most important offensive players.
What do you think about Josh Jacobs’ chances of returning this season? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for the next confirmed Packers update.