“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.

“I’m gonna do that until proven otherwise,” the head coach reaffirmed his trust on Jacobs per The Athletic‘s Matt Schneidman. The outlook for the player does not seem promising in the short term.

On the other hand, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said they’re going to “lean on the legal process” and “take things as they come.” It will be a matter of seeing, as the days go by, what will ultimately happen with No. 8 and his future with the franchise.

Jacobs out of the Packers’ active roster

The Packers’ facilities were thrown into turmoil recently after it was revealed that Jacobs had been placed on the NFL commissioner exempt list. Matt LaFleur’s plans ahead of the start of a new season were disrupted because he will be unable to count on his biggest star in the backfield until further notice.

The coach now has only three options for Jordan Love to have a running game ally. The first of them is MarShawn Lloyd, while further down the depth chart are the names of Chris Brooks and Kaleb Johnson.

A new hope for Green Bay

Matt LaFleur will have to redesign his offense with the 2026 NFL season in mind. The Packers want to reclaim the NFC North, and to do so, they will have to get off to a strong start.

• Week 1, at Minnesota Vikings (September 13)
• Week 2, at New York Jets (September 20)
• Week 3, vs Atlanta Falcons (September 24)
• Week 4, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (October 4)
• Week 5, vs Chicago Bears (October 11)

According to a report from Jeremy Fowler, the Pittsburgh Steelers are trading Kaleb Johnson to the Packers. The move gives LaFleur another option in the backfield while Green Bay deals with growing uncertainty surrounding Josh Jacobs.

The timing of the trade is particularly important after Adam Schefter reported that the NFL is placing Jacobs on the commissioner’s exempt list because of his legal situation. That development could leave the Packers without one of their most important offensive weapons, making additional depth at running back a priority.

Packers trade for Kaleb Johnson

Green Bay’s decision to acquire Kaleb Johnson makes sense given the uncertainty surrounding Josh Jacobs. Johnson entered the NFL with significant expectations as a former first-round pick, but he never managed to establish himself as a major piece of the Steelers’ offense.

Pittsburgh ultimately decided to move on, but Johnson now gets an opportunity to revive his career in Green Bay. For LaFleur, the potential value is obvious. If Jacobs is unavailable, the Packers cannot afford to enter the season without another capable running back who can handle meaningful snaps. Kaleb gives Green Bay another option behind the rest of the depth chart and could see his role increase quickly depending on Jacobs’ situation.

What happened to Josh Jacobs?

The biggest question surrounding the Packers is now Josh Jacobs’ availability. The commissioner’s exempt list designation creates significant uncertainty about when Jacobs will be available to the team.

While the Packers will presumably continue monitoring the situation, LaFleur has to prepare for the possibility that his star running back could miss time. That makes the Johnson trade particularly important.

Green Bay has major expectations heading into the season, with Jordan Love leading an offense expected to compete in the NFC. Losing Jacobs without adding another experienced option would create unnecessary pressure on the rest of the unit. Johnson provides some insurance.

Packers’ depth chart with Kaleb Johnson

Kaleb Johnson immediately becomes an intriguing addition to Green Bay’s running back competition. His previous experience in Pittsburgh did not produce the impact expected from a former first-round selection, but the Packers could provide him with a fresh opportunity in a different offensive environment.

The situation could become even more important if Jacobs is unavailable as they have no big names to replace him. Instead of simply being another depth piece, Johnson could potentially become part of the Packers’ weekly offensive game plan.

For Pittsburgh, meanwhile, the trade represents another roster decision as the Steelers continue reshaping their team under Mike McCarthy. Johnson’s departure also creates another opportunity for the Steelers’ remaining running backs to establish themselves.

“NFL is placing Packers RB Josh Jacobs on the commissioner exempt list,” ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported on his X account. The NFL’s commissioner exempt list is “a special player status available to clubs only in unusual circumstances,” as stated in the league’s player personnel manual. In essence, it’s a paid-leave status that serves as a placeholder and doesn’t count against a team’s active 53-man roster.

With Jacobs being the latest addition to the list, he won’t take up a spot on the active roster. As long as he remains on the list, Jacobs is not allowed to play nor attend games. This means that, should he stay on the commissioner exempt list through Week 1, he will miss the Packers‘ season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. In turn, MarShawn Lloyd, the second-string halfback behind Jacobs, would get the starting nod.

Packers’ running backs could move up a spot

As long as Jacobs remains on the commissioner exempt list, the Packers must act as if he isn’t on the team. That means there could be a long line of halfbacks ready to earn promotions.

Third-year running back MarShawn Lloyd appears to be the main candidate to take over HB1 duties in case Jacobs misses games during the 2026 NFL season. However, Green Bay also traded for Jacobs’ potential replacement, Kaleb Johnson, so he could run away with the starting gig as well.

One thing is clear: The Packers knew Jacobs’ designation to paid leave was coming, and the move for Johnson was no coincidence. Chris Brooks is the other running back on the team’s depth chart, which, as of this moment, doesn’t include Jacobs. His new status has effectively cast him aside from the team’s lineup.

Three players on exempt list, three more under review

Although Schefter reported there will be no more players added to the commissioner exempt list on Sunday, he couldn’t confirm or deny whether there would be a new addition in the coming days.

Along with Jacobs, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Terrion Arnold and Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathan Cooper have been added to the list, meaning they are currently sidelined, too.

Meanwhile, the league is still reviewing the situations surrounding Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and offensive lineman Alaric Jackson, as well as Baltimore Ravens wideout Rashod Bateman.

“I fully anticipate him being a member of our team,” the head coach revealed to the media following his team’s final preseason victory. On September 13, Green Bay will visit U.S. Bank Stadium.

“I can’t really comment on that because I don’t know,” LaFleur stated on the RB’s availability. Jacobs is one of the key leaders of the Packers’ backfield and a reliable target for Jordan Love. Now, it remains to be seen whether he will ultimately be available for his team’s season opener.

The Packers’ powerful backfield

Although Jacobs has established himself as one of the most powerful running backs in the NFC in recent years, the Packers can take pride in having a formidable backfield to lean on. Love, who frequently relies on this group, will have this area of the field well covered.

The first name behind No. 8 on the depth chart is MarShawn Lloyd, followed by Chris Brooks further down the list. Pierre Strong Jr., Damien Martinez, and Jaden Nixon round out the group.

A good final test for Green Bay

The Packers wrapped up their 2026 preseason in absolute thriller fashion, pulling off a wild 42-38 comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. With Matt LaFleur resting his starters to evaluate final roster spots, rookie quarterback Kyle McCord emerged as the clear star of the night.

Down by 11 points late in the fourth quarter, McCord put on a clinic, finishing 22-of-35 for 226 yards, four touchdowns, and a 119.5 passer rating—including two clutch touchdown passes to Kisean Johnson in the final minutes to seal the victory.

Between McCord’s poise under pressure and dynamic playmaking from receivers J.Michael Sturdivant (6 catches, 112 yards, 1 TD) and Will Sheppard (81-yard punt return TD), Green Bay’s offense showed absurd depth, giving LaFleur plenty of positive headaches as front-office roster cuts loom.

Being placed on the exempt list means Jacobs is placed on indefinite paid leave until the investigation is over. Meanwhile, this is the Packers’ RB depth chart without Jacobs:

• MarShawn Lloyd
• Kaleb Johnson
• Chris Brooks

Josh Jacobs’ stats in 2025 for the Packers

Josh Jacobs was key for the Packers in 2025, but his role for this season is still up in the air. Last season, Jacobs led the team in touches by more than 100 touches. Jacobs also led the team with 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns.

To make it even clearer, he was the only player with over 1,000 yards and the only player with more than six touchdowns. Only time will tell us whether he’s ultimately eligible for Week 1.

Lloyd is a talented yet unreliable backup for Jacobs

MarShawn Lloyd possesses immense explosive potential, but his chronic unreliability due to injuries has left the Green Bay Packers in a ‘wait-and-see‘ mode behind Jacobs.

Lloyd has missed basically the whole of his first two years due to a staggering string of injuries, including hip, hamstring, ankle, groin, calf, and appendix issues. Hence, if he’s needed, he could be good as long as he avoids any new injuries.

Kaleb Johnson could be a silver lining for the Packers

The trade between the Packers and Steelers for Kaleb Johnson was reported by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Without Jacobs, they need depth, and while Johnson didn’t have a great rookie year, he was a highly-touted prospect out of college and he is young.

For Johnson, this is a bounce back opportunity. He only played 62 snaps after Week 2. Johnson has upside, but he has to be better at pass blocking. On the Packers, he will have the chance without Jacobs and with an injury prone back like Lloyd.

Josh Jacobs remains one of the premier running backs in the league. However, he is currently facing a serious off-the-field situation after being arrested on Tuesday and booked into the Brown County Jail on five charges—including domestic abuse and strangulation—according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Due to these sudden legal troubles, fans are understandably wondering who will step up in the Packers’ backfield if Jacobs is forced to miss time during the 2026 campaign. As of today, Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd, and Pierre Strong Jr. are the primary options ready to shoulder the load.

The battle for the RB2 position

The biggest schematic shift in the running back room follows the departure of Emanuel Wilson, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency. Wilson handled a combined 254 touches over the last two seasons, leaving a massive vacancy in the offense. The battle to replace that production—and potentially fill in as the starter—comes down to two contrasting styles.

Brooks has generated substantial momentum throughout early offseason workouts and currently projects as a steady contributor. His reliability in pass protection and disciplined, physical running style make him a trusted option for the coaching staff.

As for Lloyd, he is entering his third season in Green Bay and possesses the highest explosive ceiling among the backup options. Widely regarded as a dynamic big-play threat, his elite high-end speed makes him the perfect change-of-pace weapon.

Green Bay offseason schedule details

The Packers officially kicked off their Organized Team Activities (OTAs) today, May 26, though the breaking news surrounding Jacobs has naturally cast a shadow over the start of workouts. Following the conclusion of OTAs, the team’s mandatory minicamp is scheduled to take place starting June 9.

Regarding Jacobs’ ongoing legal situation, his legal team released a statement confirming they are in communication with the organization, noting that the star running back vehemently denies all allegations as the investigation unfolds.

Will Jordan Love have all his offensive weapons at his disposal? According to the NFL’s official site, both Jacobs and Watson are listed as questionable, leaving their availability in the Windy City uncertain.

NFL Insider Tom Pelissero confirmed that Jacobs is good to go for Saturday’s match. Even though the running back was on croutches on Monday, the relevance of this game has pushed him into becoming available despite the serious knee injury he has.

Watson, meanwhile, was seen practicing with some of his teammates during the week, suggesting his presence on the field could be likely. According to SleeperPackers on X, Matt LaFleur described his status as “encouraging,” though the final decision will be made close to game time.

What injuries are Jacobs and Watson dealing with?

The Green Bay Packers are managing critical injuries to Josh Jacobs and Christian Watson ahead of their game against the Bears. Jacobs is battling knee and ankle issues, having aggravated a pre-existing knee injury originally sustained in November against the Giants during the team’s Week 15 loss to the Broncos.

Watson is dealing with a chest and shoulder injury after a hard fall in the third quarter of that same game in Denver last Sunday, which required him to be evaluated at a local hospital.

The numbers when Jacobs and Watson are on the field

Both Josh Jacobs and Christian Watson have been vital pillars of the Green Bay Packers‘ offense throughout the 2025 season. Josh Jacobs has served as the team’s workhorse on the ground, recording 218 carries for 890 yards and 13 touchdowns with a solid 4.1 average per carry.

Meanwhile, Christian Watson has provided the explosive vertical threat the team needs, hauling in 28 receptions for 481 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 17.2 yards per catch. Their combined production accounts for a massive portion of Green Bay’s scoring, making their health critical for the team’s postseason aspirations.

One significant absence confirmed

Micah Parsons has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season after tests confirmed a torn ACL in his left knee. The injury occurred during a non-contact play in the third quarter of last Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, and he was officially placed on injured reserve this Wednesday.

Losing their defensive centerpiece and NFL pressures leader just as the postseason approaches is truly the worst case scenario for Packers fans and their Super Bowl aspirations.

Matt LaFleur knows that having all of his best players available is vital for this type of matchup, so the news regarding Jacobs’ availability for the trip to Mile High is a big boost for the Packers.

Although the running back had been listed as questionable after limited practice on Wednesday and Thursday, journalist Tom Pelissero reported on X that Jacobs is officially active and will be available to the staff if needed.

Before this decision, the medical staff’s main concern regarding Jacobs’ situation was the Packers’ tight schedule, as their next game is against the Chicago Bears, with only six days between matchups.

What happened to Jacobs?

Josh Jacobs has been battling a persistent knee injury that he initially sustained in Week 11 of the 2025 season during the game against the New York Giants on November 16.

The injury, described as a knee contusion and swelling with no structural damage, caused him to miss the following week’s game. Though he has since returned to play, the issue has continued to cause stiffness and swelling, requiring him to manage the pain and miss recent practices as the team monitors his day-to-day status.

Jacobs’ numbers this season for the Packers

This season, Jacobs has been the workhorse for the Green Bay Packers, compiling 817 rushing yards on 206 carries for a steady 4.0 yards per attempt. His nose for the end zone has been undeniable, resulting in 12 rushing touchdowns. Indeed, his presence is indispensable this afternoon for the Packers to avoid losing against the Broncos, as his production is vital to their offensive success.

Jacobs has been a major asset for the Packers since joining the team last year. However, he is currently dealing with a knee injury that has left him listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Following the release of their injury report, Green Bay decided to elevate running back Pierre Strong Jr. for the matchup against Denver. Jacobs is not the only running back dealing with health issues, further complicating the situation for the Packers’ offense.

Packers’ Week 15 injury report raises concerns

Jacobs’ knee injury is a significant blow for Green Bay, as he has been a key contributor alongside quarterback Jordan Love. Unfortunately, the Packers have struggled to keep a healthy roster throughout the season.

For Week 15, Green Bay’s injury list is lengthy. In addition to Jacobs, running back Emanuel Wilson is also listed as questionable due to illness. Meanwhile, MarShawn Lloyd (calf/hamstring) has been ruled out for the game against the Broncos.

The Packers also included Jordan Love on the injury report with a left shoulder issue. However, the quarterback practiced fully throughout the week and is expected to start in Green Bay’s trip to Denver.

Which players are injured for the Broncos?

While the Broncos have a shorter injury report for Week 15, several of the listed players are key contributors who could create challenges for Bo Nix and head coach Sean Payton.

Wide receiver Pat Bryant (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game, as has guard Ben Powers, who is dealing with a biceps injury. Offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey is listed as questionable due to a shoulder issue.

According to Bobby Kownack of NFL.com, Josh Jacobs is officially off the injury report and ready to suit up for the Green Bay Packers against the Detroit Lions. His return to action on Thanksgiving Day is sure to give fans something extra to be thankful for.

In addition, Jordan Love has also been cleared to play for the Packers on Thanksgiving. Ahead of this crucial game against the Lions, Love sent a clear message regarding his injury status.

With these two key players set to face the Lions, the Packers’ fanbase is eagerly anticipating a thrilling football game. Both the Packers and Lions are performing admirably in this regular season, and both teams have their sights set on a playoff berth in January.

Jacobs-Love: A potent offensive force for the Packers

Both players have been instrumental for head coach Matt LaFleur. Jacobs has excelled as a running back, amassing 648 rushing yards this season. Additionally, he has been targeted 35 times, securing 28 receptions, scoring 11 touchdowns, and moving the chains with 41 first downs.

Love has been a linchpin for the Packers, throwing for 2,560 yards over 11 games. His contributions include 15 passing touchdowns, a completion rate of 224 out of 331 attempts, only 3 interceptions, and 123 first downs in the games he’s played.

Lions’ injury report raises concerns ahead of Packers clash

There is significant anticipation regarding the Lions’ performance today against the Packers, as this enduring rivalry intensifies. Contributing to the uncertainty are those sidelined on Detroit’s roster, including Kerby Joseph and Kalif Raymond, alongside three other players declared out for today’s game.

Furthermore, the Lions have eight players listed as questionable for the contest against Green Bay. Notable among them are Miles Frazier, Marcus Davenport, and Terrion Darnold, whose participation would be a considerable boon for head coach Dan Campbell.