Jacobs was placed on the exempt list on August 30 after being charged with misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property. He is not allowed to practice or play while he remains on the list, although he continues to receive his salary during this period.

The legal side of Jacobs’ situation has since been resolved after he pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charges, but that did not immediately change his status with the NFL. The league has said its review under the personal conduct policy remains ongoing, leaving the Packers without one of their most important offensive players.

How long is Josh Jacobs suspension?

There is still no official suspension length for Josh Jacobs. The NFL has not announced how many games he will be suspended, and Jacobs remains on the Commissioner’s Exempt List while the league determines its next step.

However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that a four-to-six-game suspension could be the range being discussed based on conversations with people around the league. That is only a projection at this point, not a final decision from the NFL.

There is an important factor that could shorten the number of additional games Jacobs has to miss once the suspension is announced. Time spent on the Commissioner’s Exempt List counts toward a subsequent suspension, meaning the games Jacobs has already missed could be credited as time served.

For example, if Jacobs ultimately receives a six-game suspension and spends three games on the exempt list before the NFL announces it, those three games could count toward the six-game penalty. In that scenario, he would only have three additional games to serve before becoming eligible to return.

That makes a return later in the season possible even if the NFL ultimately gives Jacobs a multi-game suspension. For now, though, there is no official timetable, and the Packers must continue preparing without him while the league completes its review.

Parsons began the season on the reserve/PUP list after undergoing surgery on his knee following the injury he suffered last season. His placement on the list means he cannot return during the opening portion of the season, keeping him out of Sunday’s matchup with the Jets.

His absence is another significant challenge for a Packers defense that is trying to bounce back after allowing 39 points in its season-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Parsons was brought to Green Bay to provide an elite presence on the defensive front, but the Packers will have to wait longer before seeing him in action.

When will Micah Parsons return for Packers?

Micah Parsons is expected to miss at least the first four games of the 2026 season because of his placement on the reserve/PUP list. That means he cannot play against the Jets in Week 2 and will also miss Green Bay’s upcoming games before becoming eligible to return.

The earliest possible return would come after Week 4, with the Packers potentially able to activate Parsons for Week 5. However, his actual return will depend on his recovery from the knee injury and whether Green Bay believes he is ready to resume playing.

The Packers have another important absence to manage at the same time, with Josh Jacobs remaining on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. That leaves Green Bay without two of its biggest offseason additions against the Jets, making Parsons’ eventual return even more important for a defense that is still adjusting.

For now, Packers fans will have to wait. Parsons remains sidelined with his knee injury and is not eligible to play in Week 2, leaving Green Bay without its star pass rusher as the team looks to get back on track against New York.

However, Jonathan Jones of The Athletic reported Saturday that the time Jacobs spends on the exempt list will be credited toward any suspension eventually imposed by the NFL. That means the games he misses now could effectively count as part of his eventual punishment.

For the Packers, that represents a potentially positive development. Green Bay still does not know how many games Jacobs could ultimately miss, but the latest report provides a clearer path toward his return because the time he is already sitting out is not necessarily lost.

Is Josh Jacobs suspended with Packers?

No. Jonathan Jones explained that Josh Jacobs continues to receive his full game check while he remains on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, despite being prohibited from practicing or playing. Once the NFL determines his discipline, however, the time he has already spent on the list will be credited toward the suspension.

“Josh Jacobs remains on the commissioner’s exempt list, meaning he gets his full game check of $566,666 while being unable to practice or play. When he is eventually suspended, he will be credited with time served. For example, if after three games on the exempt list Jacobs is suspended six games by the league, he will be eligible to return in Week 7 against the Lions. He would have to pay back the three game checks he received while on the exempt list.”

The example provided by Jones shows why the latest development matters for Green Bay. If Jacobs were to spend three games on the exempt list before receiving a six-game suspension, those three games would count toward the punishment, potentially allowing him to return in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions.

Jacobs would have to repay the game checks he received while on the exempt list, but the key point for the Packers is that his current absence could reduce the number of additional games he ultimately has to miss once the NFL announces its decision.

That gives Green Bay some potentially encouraging news while the league’s process continues. The Packers will still have to operate without Jacobs for the time being, but his eventual suspension may not add as many missed games as the calendar might initially suggest.

The Packers signed Jacobs to become a major part of their offense, and his absence leaves Green Bay relying on its other running backs while the situation is resolved. A faster path back to the field would therefore be significant for an offense that still expects Jacobs to play an important role in 2026.

For now, there is no official suspension length or definitive return date. But Jones’ report provides the Packers with an important clarification: every game Jacobs spends on the Commissioner’s Exempt List could move him closer to completing a future suspension.

LaFleur and Stenavich were not aligned regarding whether tight end Tucker Kraft was available for short-yardage sneaks, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. “Yesterday Matt LaFleur said the Tucker Kraft sneak wasn’t off the table because it was his first game back from the ACL,” Schneidman wrote on X. “Adam Stenavich just said it was off the table because of that. Stenavich said ideally the Kraft sneak is the play there.”

The Packers turned a 12-point lead into a 17-point loss, allowing 29 consecutive points in the second half of their 39-22 defeat against their NFC North rivals, who played without starting quarterback Kyler Murray.

Where LaFleur and Stenavich were out of sync

The collapse began early in the fourth quarter when head coach Matt LaFleur decided to pass on a field goal – following a Vikings penalty – to go for it on fourth-and-1 deep in Minnesota territory.

The kick would have given the Packers a three-point lead. Instead, a short-yardage rush attempt by quarterback Jordan Love was stopped, and the Vikings capitalized on the momentum shift to take control of the game. The Packers like to use tight end Tucker Kraft as a quarterback in QB sneak situations, but they opted against it in the standout pass-catcher’s first game back from a torn ACL.

In recent years, it has become common for teams to utilize their tight ends in QB sneak situations, and that appears to be the plan in Green Bay once the Packers feel comfortable using Kraft following his injury. Doing so on Sunday might have been enough to prevent the Vikings’ comeback and secure an NFL Week 1 victory.

The Packers will have to get back on track with a Week 2 clash against the New York Jets, who are surprisingly off to a 1-0 start after taking down the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The team will look to bounce back from the poor start while awaiting Kyler Murray’s return.

As a result of the injury, backup quarterback Carson Wentz has taken over against the Green Bay Packers. Even though he was initially deemed inactive, J.J. McCarthy could be next in line as he is the Vikings’ emergency quarterback. He can only step onto the field if something happens to Wentz.

Murray was able to walk off the field and head to the locker room. Although that’s an encouraging sign, it wasn’t enough to wave the victory flag and disregard a serious injury in the 2026 NFL‘s season-opener. After being evaluated for a concussion, the test results confirmed that fear.

“QB Kyler Murray has been ruled out with a concussion,” the Vikings announced through their official social media.

Vikings in trouble in Week 1

This is the reality of the NFL. Just one week into the season, it’s showing all of its true colors. Although the team always knew it was in for a challenging year, Minnesota waited months for football to be back, only to potentially lose its starting quarterback just one quarter into the season.

Fortunately for the Vikings, Wentz has plenty of experience under his belt and could provide a softer landing spot for them. It’s far from ideal, but they could be in an even worse position. The other option, McCarthy, is coming off a tumultuous year in 2025, and many believe his train has already left the station in the Twin Cities.

Murray’s rough start

Even before he got hurt in a very scary play, Murray’s start to his Vikings career was far from pretty. In fact, his first pass at U.S. Bank Stadium was picked off. In his injury-shortened debut in Minnesota, Murray only threw three passes for 18 yards and an interception before leaving the game. He’s now been ruled out. The bleak stat line will haunt the former No. 1 overall pick from 2019, but it’s all minuscule compared to the medical side of things.

Parsons tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee during a Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos in December 2025. The injury ended his season and forced him into a lengthy rehabilitation process, with the Packers taking a cautious approach as they wait for their defensive centerpiece to fully recover.

Green Bay placed Parsons on the reserve/PUP list before the start of the regular season, meaning he is unavailable for the opening portion of the schedule. His absence is a major blow for the Packers’ defense, particularly against a Vikings offense that will not have to deal with one of the NFL’s most disruptive pass rushers in Week 1.

When will Micah Parsons return from injury with Packers?

Micah Parsons will miss at least the first four games of the season because of his placement on the reserve/PUP list. The earliest possible return would therefore come in Week 5, but the Packers have been careful not to put unnecessary pressure on his recovery after such a significant knee injury.

The more realistic target has been a return around mid-October. Parsons previously indicated that his recovery timeline pointed toward that period, and recent updates have continued to suggest that October is the key window for his comeback. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has also indicated that the team expects to have a much better idea of Parsons’ readiness once the initial four-game window is over.

That could put Parsons in position to return around Week 5 or shortly afterward, depending on how his knee responds as he advances through rehabilitation. For now, though, the Packers will have to move forward without their biggest defensive star, knowing that rushing him back would make little sense when the ultimate goal is to have Parsons healthy for the most important part of the season.

Jacobs recently pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property stemming from a May incident. Although his legal case has moved forward, the NFL has not yet announced an official suspension. For now, his status remains unchanged, meaning the Packers must begin the season without one of their most important offensive players.

The timing creates an immediate challenge for Green Bay. Jacobs was expected to be a major part of the Packers’ offensive attack, but his absence against the Vikings means the team will have to rely on its other running backs while the league determines what disciplinary action, if any, Jacobs will ultimately receive.

Is Josh Jacobs suspended with Packers?

Josh Jacobs has not received an official suspension from the NFL. Instead, he remains on the Commissioner Exempt List, a separate status that prevents him from playing while the league continues its review of his legal situation. The NFL recently said there is no timetable for when Jacobs will be disciplined, leaving his return date uncertain.

The possibility of a suspension remains very real, however, and the expectation around the league has been that Jacobs could face multiple games once the NFL completes its investigation.

A suspension of six games has emerged as a possible scenario, although the final number could be different once the league makes its decision. Time spent on the Commissioner Exempt List could potentially be considered when determining how much of any eventual suspension remains to be served, but that should not be treated as confirmed until the NFL announces its ruling.

Under that scenario, this Week 1 matchup against the Vikings could eventually be viewed as the first game Jacobs has missed toward a potential six-game punishment. For now, though, the Packers cannot count on that outcome. Jacobs remains unavailable, and Green Bay will have to wait for the NFL to determine whether his time on the exempt list affects any future suspension before knowing when its star running back can return.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, “While Packers running back Josh Jacobs remains on the Commissioner Exempt list, the NFL could count time spent there as time served for any potential suspension. Some league sources expect this to be the case in the end.” In Week 1, the Packers will have a different RB depth chart without Jacobs.

Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), there is a six-game minimum for any type of domestic violence. It could be more or less, but while the NFL determines how much games will Jacobs miss, every single matchup where he isn’t featured could be counted towards the suspension.

How many times has a player been in commissioner exempt list?

The exact total number of individual player-stints on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List since its creation is not officially tracked as a single cumulative tally by the league, though dozens of players have been placed on it over the years.

It serves as a temporary paid leave and roster exemption for players facing serious pending legal charges or active personal conduct policy investigations. Only the NFL Commissioner, in this case Roger Goodell, holds the power to place or remove a player from the list.

What is the worst Commissioner Exempt List punishments ever in NFL?

The NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List is not technically a disciplinary punishment. However, some big punishments and suspensions have come for players placed on the list. These players have missed the most games from being on the list:

• Adrian Peterson (2014): 15 games
• Greg Hardy (2015): 15 games

Jacobs was the workhorse of this offense. This means that the Packers haven’t really explored much of their other options, especially since last year’s backup was Emmanuel Wilson, who is no longer on the team.

This indicates that it will be a full new-look running game for Matt LaFleur‘s team. Considering that the Vikings have a top-tier defensive coordinator in Brian Flores, this will be a tough test for the Packers.

Packers Week 1 RB depth chart

MarShawn Lloyd will finally get a chance to shine in the NFL. He has only played 10 regular-season snaps as he’s been sidelined due to a variety of injuries in his first two years in the NFL. The Packers also traded for Kaleb Johnson, who wasn’t able to impress with the Steelers. Chris Brooks is also on the roster.

1. MarShawn Lloyd
2. Chris Brooks
3. Kaleb Johnson

The running game is key for LaFleur’s scheme to work

Matt LaFleur’s offense relies on the running game as its foundational engine to control the clock, keep defenses guessing, and unlock the rest of the playbook. LaFleur comes from a coaching tree that heavily features outside zone runs, pre-snap motion, and jet sweeps to stretch the field horizontally.

When the run game works, linebackers and safeties step toward the line of scrimmage. This movement creates open windows down the field for the quarterback to exploit in play-action, where Jordan Love shines. Hence, Lloyd, Brooks, and Johnson must deliver for the offense to work.

Parsons was recently asked who he thinks will lead the league in sacks this season, and he named Will Anderson Jr. “That Houston team, they set the standard of how football is played. I tip my hat to them. I think Will Anderson Jr. is going to lead the league in sacks this year, 18 sacks. This is the year he really breaks out,” Parsons said on Bleacher Report.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Anderson led the league in sacks, and with the help he has on the defensive line, somebody is bound to have a good season. Anderson could very well be that player, having already shown glimpses of what he can do last season.

Another stat Anderson already leads

Anderson is not only aiming to lead the league in sacks, according to Parsons, but it is also a fact that he is one of the highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL — another reason why expectations surrounding him are so high.

The position has handed out a lot of money to players in recent years, with 29 edge rushers currently set to make at least $16 million per season in average annual salary, led by Anderson, who is earning an average of $50 million per season.

Anderson Jr. has company on the list of the top-paid edge rushers in the NFL. The Packers’ Micah Parsons ranks second at $46.5 million per season, with the Detroit Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson third at $45 million per season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt is fourth among the highest-paid NFL edge rushers with an average salary of $41 million per year. Danielle Hunter comes in fifth with a salary of $40.1 million per season.

The Texans’ other top options

Outside of Anderson, the Texans have Danielle Hunter, Sheldon Rankins, Jadeveon Clowney and others to pick up the load, and they’ll be causing problems for offenses this season.

The Texans have the chance of being one of the better teams in the AFC this season, but it may come down to how they perform on offense. With a few injuries hurting them on that side of the ball last season, they weren’t able to find much of a rhythm, but they did just enough to stay in the fold.

“I play ball. I’m just ready to play ball. I’m looking for any opportunity. I haven’t played in two years, so anything is good for me,” the running back revealed during a recent conversation with the press.

Lloyd arrived at Lambeau Field after being selected with the 88th overall pick in the third round of the 2024 Draft, coming out of the USC Trojans. In the 2026 NFL season, he will have the opportunity to show the staff that he is made to be the Packers’ RB1.

Lloyd and his support for Jacobs

Jacobs’ influence within the team is important not only from a sporting standpoint but also on an emotional level. Lloyd revealed that he was a key figure during an important part of his career, so he expressed his respect for his teammate as he goes through this situation.

“I feel for him. He’s a brother forever…what he’s going through, we’re going through it with him,” Lloyd said. “I don’t know what’s going on, but that’s my brother, so I just gotta stay on that forever. He’s helped me when I was in the worst part of my life really when I was going through those last two years.”

The Packers’ backfield has been decimated

The situation involving Jacobs has left one of the team’s biggest stars unavailable to the staff at the start of the season. In fact, after being placed on the NFL commissioner exempt list, the status of No. 8 remains uncertain.

As a result, the backfield in Green Bay has been reduced to just three names. The first of them is the aforementioned Lloyd, followed by Chris Brooks and, finally, Kaleb Johnson.