NFL Places Packers' Josh Jacobs on Exempt List, Team Faces Backfield Void
The NFL has placed Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list, according to Ian Rapoport. Jacobs cannot practice or play while on the list, though his attorneys called it an administrative procedure. The Packers have limited depth at running back and recently traded for Kaleb Johnson from the Steelers.
Jacobs' placement stems from an ongoing league review, with his legal team emphasizing that the move is procedural rather than a punishment. He continues to draw his salary while sidelined, though his absence leaves Green Bay without its primary ball-carrier. His 2025 production already slipped to 929 yards and a career-low 4.0 yards per carry, raising questions about his effectiveness even before this development.
The Packers' depth chart behind Jacobs is notably thin. MarShawn Lloyd has only six career regular-season carries and missed all of 2025, while Chris Brooks has managed 395 rushing yards across three seasons. The team's trade for Kaleb Johnson—a 2025 third-round pick who led the Big Ten with 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior—suddenly becomes far more significant, as he may be thrust into a leading role immediately.
This situation could reshape Green Bay's offensive identity and playoff trajectory, as the team may now rely on unproven backs during a critical stretch. Fans and fantasy football managers alike face immediate disruption, while Jacobs' future earnings and reputation hang in the balance depending on the review's outcome. The case may also prompt broader discussion about how the exempt list is applied, particularly regarding player due process and the timing of such designations relative to roster decisions.