Packers Remain Optimistic Jacobs Will Return from Exempt List
Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst voiced support for running back Josh Jacobs, who is on the commissioner's exempt list after being charged with two misdemeanors. LaFleur said he trusts Jacobs, while Gutekunst hopes he can play before season's end. Jacobs faces battery and criminal damage charges from a May incident.
The charges stem from a May 23 incident in which Jacobs’ girlfriend alleged he grabbed her arm, threw her to the ground, and took her phone during a dispute over messages on his device. Brown County prosecutors filed misdemeanor battery and criminal damage charges on August 28, prompting the NFL’s administrative placement three days later. Jacobs remains eligible for team meetings and workouts but cannot practice or play. His legal team stresses the exempt list is not a final ruling, and the league’s investigation could still result in a suspension, with missed games counting toward any penalty.
General manager Brian Gutekunst acknowledged he has not reviewed the video evidence cited by the district attorney, which reportedly corroborates the girlfriend’s account. Coach Matt LaFleur emphasized his trust in Jacobs based on personal interactions, while the Packers have prepared contingency plans at running back. Jacobs, a three-time Pro Bowler, signed with Green Bay in 2025 and was expected to anchor the backfield this season.
This case could shape public perception of the NFL’s disciplinary process, as the exempt list allows pay while investigations proceed, but players may face repayment if suspended. Fans and advocacy groups may scrutinize how teams balance support for players with accountability for alleged domestic incidents. The outcome could influence league policy on similar cases, and the Packers’ handling may affect team morale and community trust, though legal proceedings remain ongoing.