Josh Jacobs is set to rejoin the Green Bay Packers’ offense Sunday after the club activated the veteran running back from the Commissioner’s Exempt List on Saturday.
Jacobs is expected to be available when Green Bay hosts the Detroit Lions at 4:25 p.m. ET, although his workload remains uncertain after he had only one week of practice with the team. The Packers entered Week 7 needing help from a ground game that has been among the NFL’s least productive units.
Jacobs cleared for roster return
- Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List on Aug. 30 following a May altercation involving his girlfriend.
- The matter initially brought five counts, including a felony strangulation charge.
- The case was later reduced to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property. Jacobs entered no-contest pleas on Oct. 10.
- The NFL removed him from the exempt list on Oct. 19 while its investigation continued, making him eligible to play.
- Green Bay received a one-game roster exemption that allowed Jacobs to practice without occupying a spot on the active roster. That exemption was due to end Oct. 26.
- The Packers formally added Jacobs to the active roster Saturday, positioning him for his first appearance of the season against Detroit.
Green Bay needs a spark on the ground
The Packers rank last in the league with 359 rushing yards and are also last in yards per carry at 2.9. Their backfield rotation has included MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson, Chris Brooks and Pierre Strong, with Brooks currently on injured reserve.
Lloyd has led that group with 122 rushing yards. He is the only Green Bay running back to score this year, producing two rushing touchdowns and another on one of his 10 receptions.
Jacobs, 28, is in his third Packers season and has produced 2,258 rushing yards, 624 receiving yards and 30 total touchdowns over 32 games with Green Bay. How quickly the Packers expand his role against the Lions will be a key Sunday question.
