Sports · American Football · 1 hr ago
Packers activate Josh Jacobs for season debut against Lions
The Green Bay Packers activated running back Josh Jacobs for his season debut after he missed the first six games.
He is set to play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Jacobs had been on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list after his arrest over a May incident at his home near Green Bay.
He pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges and was convicted of battery, while reaching a deferred judgment agreement on a property damage charge.
The NFL’s investigation into possible personal conduct policy violations is still ongoing, and any suspension could match or exceed the six games he has already missed.
Green Bay has had the NFL’s lowest rushing average, so Jacobs’ return could help strengthen the Packers’ running game.
The Packers also activated defensive tackle Jordon Riley and made other roster moves ahead of the game.
The Green Bay Packers activated running back Josh Jacobs to their active roster on Saturday, clearing him to play.
Jacobs is expected to make his 2026 season debut against the Detroit Lions on Sunday after missing the first six games.
He spent that time on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list amid an ongoing league investigation into the May incident that led to misdemeanor charges.
Jacobs pleaded no contest to the charges, and the six games he missed could count toward any suspension.
Green Bay went 4-2 without him and ranked last in the NFL in rushing yards per game, with 59.8.
- Who
- The Green Bay Packers activated running back Josh Jacobs.
- What
- Jacobs is cleared to play and is expected to make his 2026 season debut.
- When
- Saturday, October 24, 2026; his debut is expected on Sunday.
- Where
- Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the Packers’ game against the Detroit Lions.
- Why
- The NFL removed Jacobs from the commissioner’s exempt list, allowing the Packers to add him to their active roster.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Jacobs was involved in an incident with a woman at his home near Green Bay.
Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges resulting from the incident.
The NFL removed Jacobs from the commissioner’s exempt list.
The Packers activated Jacobs to their active roster.
Jacobs is expected to make his season debut against the Detroit Lions.
- Roster move
- Activated Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Games missed
- First six games of the season
- Packers record without Jacobs
- 4-2
- Green Bay rushing
- 59.8 yards per game, last in the NFL
- NFL investigation
- Ongoing; any suspension could count the six games already missed
4 sources
Josh Jacobs activated by Packers after missing six games amid NFL's ongoing domestic battery investigation
Packers Activate RB Josh Jacobs, DT Jordon Riley
Josh Jacobs activated to Packers roster for first time since battery incident
Packers activate RB Jacobs for 2026 debut after time on exempt list
What people are saying
I’m grateful to be playing, so that’s not even something that I’m like arguing or petitioning with.
Obviously, man, I'm remorseful and sorry for putting this team in this situation.
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Packers activated RB Josh Jacobs and he is expected to play Sunday at Detroit.