Packers running back Josh Jacobs said he is trying to learn from a "mistake" and move forward. ESPN reported that these were his first comments since his arrest in May after an incident with a woman at his home. Pro Football Talk's headline carried his words as "I'm just trying to play ball, learn from this mistake and move forward." Yahoo Sports described him as "remorseful." The Associated Press, via Sportsnet, said he apologized to his teammates.
Jacobs returned to the team this week after missing six games on the Commissioner's Exempt List, per Pro Football Talk. Acme Packing Company reported that Wednesday was his first day practicing with the Packers since training camp. It also reported that the exempt placement stemmed from a domestic violence incident, and that Jacobs pleaded no contest to charges of battery and criminal damage to property. Acme also reported that Matt LaFleur spoke after the reinstatement. The feed summaries we have don't include what the coach said.
The league's review has not ended. Yahoo Sports and the AP both describe an ongoing NFL investigation, and Yahoo says Jacobs is eligible to play in Week 7 against the Lions. Eligibility is not the same as a decision on playing time or on any further discipline. None of the summaries say whether he will play Sunday or whether the league will add a suspension.
The Packers reached this point without him. They are 4-2, second in the NFC North and 1.5 games behind the 5-0 Vikings. They have won three in a row: 17-14 at Tampa Bay on Oct. 4, 31-7 over Chicago on Oct. 11, and 23-13 over Dallas on Oct. 18. Their point differential is only +2, so they have been winning close games, and the backfield is something to watch.
4-22nd in NFC NorthStreak W3
Our archive has no 2026 stats for Jacobs, which fits the absence. His last season of record is 2025, when he ran 234 times for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns in 15 games, averaging 4.0 yards a carry. That is down from 1,329 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns on 301 carries in 2024. He finished 2025 with 19 carries for 55 yards at Chicago on Jan. 10. He has also had fumble trouble. He lost one in the Dec. 20 game at Chicago and another against Philadelphia on Nov. 10.
Next is a trip to Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 25. The Lions are 3-2, two games behind Minnesota. The open questions are whether Jacobs dresses and how much he works if he does. The NFL's investigation could still affect his status.
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