Josh Jacobs

Josh Jacobs was placed on the Commissioners Exempt List on August 30th. The hearing being moved up 2 months could lead to a much earlier resolution to Jacobs’ status for 2026 – and potentially beyond. While Jacobs did struggle a bit last year in efficiency, partly due to playing through nagging injuries, ranking 48th in True Yards Per Carry in 2025 amongst RB’s with a minimum of 200 snaps, there is little doubt that if he returns that he will be the lead back.

Jacobs is currently ranked RB52 in the PlayerProfiler redraft rankings and RB46 in dynasty. This news bolsters his chances of playing this season, as the quicker the legal case is settled, the greater the chance that the NFL decides their potential punishment. The NFL-NFLPA CBA calls for a 6-game baseline suspension if he is found in violation of Domestic Violence under the NFL Personal Conduct Policy. Important disclaimer: If video of the incident leaks and it looks bad, the NFL could suspend him indefinitely, as they did with Ray Rice back in 2014. Rice never played another down in the NFL.

Josh Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List following misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property, stemming from an incident at his home on May 23. While general manager Brian Gutekunst did not provide a definitive timeline for his return, his comments are to date, the first indicator that the organization expects him to play for Green Bay at some point this season.

Even though Gutekunst stopped short of setting an exact return date, the expectation that Jacobs will eventually suit up should help stabilize his freefall in redraft (currently RB52) and dynasty formats (currently RB46). Fantasy managers who drafted him in late August may yet be rewarded with a discounted, quality running back who finished No. 14 in PlayerProfiler’s Yards Created metric, assuming he returns without missing significant time.

The Packers acquired Kaleb Johnson from Pittsburgh for a sixth round pick, adding another intriguing young back to a Green Bay depth chart full of uncertainty. Johnson’s rookie season with the Steelers never developed after a Week 2 special teams mistake, but his prospect profile remains interesting.

The bigger fantasy question is MarShawn Lloyd, whose injury history has made his availability a constant concern, while Josh Jacobs still faces potential suspension. Johnson is worth a deep league dart, but this move puts another body between Lloyd and a potential workload explosion if Jacobs misses time. Johnson, currently PlayerProfilers RB99 but expected to rise with his new landing spot.

The NFL has placed Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs on the Commissioner’s Exempt List following misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges stemming from a May incident. Jacobs will not be allowed to practice or play while on the exempt list, and there is currently no timetable for his return or indication whether additional discipline will follow.

The timing of Green Bay’s trade for former third-round pick Kaleb Johnson is notable and suggests the Packers were preparing for the possibility of Jacobs missing time. MarShawn Lloyd remains the favorite for the largest immediate role, but Johnson is worth a deep stash in dynasty, best ball, and deeper redraft formats while the uncertainty surrounding Jacobs plays out.

The Packers are preparing for a potential suspension for Josh Jacobs, and that makes MarShawn Lloyd one of the most intriguing late round contingency backs in fantasy football. Jacobs handled a 60.4% snap share last season, and if those opportunities disappear, Lloyd could walk into a starting role in an ascending Green Bay offense.

PlayerProfiler illustrates Lloyd’s explosive playmaking ability, but there is one massive asterisk: the former third round pick has played only one NFL game due to injuries, making his ability to stay healthy the entire bet. If Lloyd stays upright and Jacobs misses time, this could be the cheap backfield lottery ticket that pays off before fantasy managers realize what happened. Lloyd has skyrocketed up to RB37 on the PlayerProfiler 2026 fantasy football draft rankings.