Josh Jacobs (groin) could return late next week

The district attorney’s investigation into Jacobs’ domestic violence incident was still open as of late July. Schefter didn’t focus as much on Jacobs’ situation as he did Puka Nacua’s in this video, but he said Jacobs is “still under review” and it’s still “a pending situation” in the NFL. Schefter expects discipline to be a potential option before the start of the season.

Jacobs on Tuesday was seen on the sideline rehabbing and won’t participate on 11-on-11s for the time being. Depending on how long Jacobs sits with the groin issue, MarShawn Lloyd could have a real chance to assert himself as the team’s lead back ahead of the season opener. Packers coaches have praised Lloyd in recent months for his growth as a player and teammate, and he’s impressed in training camp so far. Lloyd should be scooped up in all fantasy leagues this month.

Matt LaFleur said Chris Brooks, who is currently on the NFI list, injured himself while training but is expected to return sooner rather than later. With both the first and the third running back out of commission, MarShawn Lloyd is going to get plenty of reps with the first-team offense. Having missed the bulk of his first two seasons, that’s exactly what the young runner needed. Even if Jacobs isn’t sidelined for long, Lloyd could carve out a small standalone role in his absence. Jacobs is still facing legal troubles as well. If the league were to suspend him at any point this year, Lloyd would be the next man up.

The update is via the Brown County, Wis. district attorney’s office, which was responding to a query from The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. Arrested on five charges in May, Jacobs was released when there was “insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges at the time,” but the DA’s office did say it had “reason to believe there may be additional evidence that would impact what/if criminal charges were appropriate.” Schneidman states the obvious when he says “there’s no telling when this will wrap up or what the resolution will be.” The fact that Jacobs has not been placed on the commissioner’s exempt list is an early sign he will be available for Week 1, but it’s possible if not likely the NFL is dealing with the same information vacuum we are. It’s not the most important thing here, but Jacobs should be considered an unreliable RB2 fantasy pick until the situation is fully resolved.

Lloyd’s 2025 season ended with calf and hamstring injuries. The Packers held him out of team drills early on during OTAs, briefly causing a scare. Apparently, this was just precautionary. Lloyd will also “practically have the undivided attention of the Packers’ training staff” from now until training camp. After a recent arrest, starting RB Josh Jacobs’ 2026 season outlook is clouded. If Lloyd can remain healthy — a major If — he will serve either as a capable No. 2 running back or, potentially, as a fill-in starter for the Packers this season.

Jacobs was arrested last week for domestic violence allegations including battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. He has denied the allegations and was not formally charged last week by the local district attorney’s office. Jacobs could be facing a lengthy absence this season depending on the outcome of a league investigation into the accusations of domestic violence. Releasing Jacobs, 28, would result in a $6.25 million dead cap hit for the Packers.

The update comes directly from the DA’s office. They note that the standard for an arrest in this case is probable cause. The DA’s Office, however, applies a higher standard. The evidence against Jacobs did not meet that standard and he was released from custody, though this does not mean charges can’t be filed at a later date. Jacobs was initially arrested on Tuesday and booked in jail for battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. Jacobs’ lawyers immediately put out a statement denying the accusations. For now, it’s simply a waiting game. Jacobs could end up on the commissioner’s exempt list, but the league has generally erred on the side of letting the legal process play out before stepping in.

Jacobs this week was arrested in Wisconsin on domestic abuse chargers. The 28-year-old back was booked in jail for battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. Jacobs denies the allegations. If the Packers were to release Jacobs — who has two years and $25 million remaining on his current deal — they would absorb a doable $6.2 million hit to the salary cap for 2026. Jacobs could be facing team and/or league discipline in the coming months, and could miss part of the regular season if the NFL’s investigation into the domestic abuse allegations warrants a suspension. Other running backs on the Packers depth chart include Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd, and Pierre Strong.

According to a police report from the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department, Jacobs was arrested on five charges following a May 23rd complaint of a domestic disturbance. He was booked in jail for battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. According to Jacobs’ attorneys, the 28-year-old is denying the charges. The NFL generally conducts its own investigation into domestic violence claims after law enforcement conducts an investigation. The commissioner exempt list is a possibility for Jacobs as the NFL investigates; a suspension is certainly on the table. The investigation and subsequent appeals will take some time but Jacobs could miss games in 2026 as a result of this arrest.

Jacobs also returned two kicks in this game despite never returning a kick in an NFL game before, and his first attempt saw him fumble with the ball fortunately landing in the hands of a Packers’ special-teamer. The tailback found very little room in the run game, and the word “plod” would be an accurate descriptor for much of the contest. While he did rush for 13 touchdowns in 2025, he also was held to a 4.0 average on his 234 carries (929 yards). The 27-year-old should be back with Green Bay in 2025, and he’ll open the year as a low-end RB1 thanks to his knack for finding the end zone.