Josh Jacobs Cleared to Return for Packers in Week 7

October 16, 2026 - 19:39

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs will be removed from the NFL's commissioner exempt list and is set to become eligible to play in Week 7, according to a report. The decision clears the way for Jacobs to rejoin the team after a lengthy absence that began before the regular season started.

Jacobs was arrested last May on a domestic abuse charge and was subsequently placed on the commissioner exempt list ahead of the 2025 season. The list is a special designation that allows a player to remain away from his team while the league reviews his situation. Players on the list are not permitted to practice or play in games, though they may still be paid depending on the terms of the designation.

The move means Jacobs can return to practice and suit up for the Packers when they take the field in Week 7. His reinstatement comes after the league completed its review of the matter. The Packers have been without their lead running back for the first several weeks of the season, leaning on other options in the backfield during his absence.

Jacobs joined Green Bay with high expectations after establishing himself as one of the league's most productive rushers in previous seasons. His return gives the Packers a significant boost to their offense as they push through the middle portion of their schedule. The team has not yet announced how quickly he will be worked back into the rotation or how many carries he might see in his first game back.

The commissioner exempt list is separate from suspension. A player placed on it is not formally disciplined by the league at that stage, and the designation can be lifted once the review concludes. Jacobs will now be subject to the standard personal conduct policy going forward, and any further discipline, if warranted, would be announced separately. For now, the focus shifts to his return to the field and what it means for Green Bay's playoff hopes.