Packers ‘preparing’ for Jacobs suspension

Lloyd played on 5-of-7 snaps during the first drive, giving way to RB Chris Brooks for third- and fourth-and-inches. Lloyd looks fast and powerful and can be treated as a high-end bench stash with potential standalone value. His touchdown occurred on a nifty catch-and-run play over the middle. Starting RB Josh Jacobs (groin) did not play.

Jacobs has been out since August 6 with a groin injury, but the 28-year-old running back will return to practice on Tuesday. With the possibility of a suspension still looming if the league finds that he violated the Personal Conduct policy, Jacobs is a risky RB2 going in the fourth round of fantasy drafts.

Jacobs has been sidelined since August 6th and still faces a possible suspension from the NFL if the league determines that he violated the Personal Conduct Policy. He is still the starting running back in what has been an efficient offense, but 28-year-old running backs have certainly enjoyed better circumstances in the lead-up to a new season. He makes for a risky RB2 candidate at the moment.

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 report first surfaced last month via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, who reported Lloyd underwent a “comprehensive evaluation of his lower-body range of motion and his lower-body and lumbopelvic strength.” A longtime professional sports physician found Lloyd was “overcompensating at his ankle and hip, in part due to residual deficits in his knee from a 2020 ACL tear.” Schneidman called back to his report this week when he re-emphasized the Packers are finally optimistic about Lloyd’s health, but that they have “been optimistic before.” Although Lloyd is still in “any 2026 contribution should be considered a bonus” territory, his status is more important than it was two months ago after Josh Jacobs was arrested on domestic violence charges in May. Jacobs’ case remains open. Despite his absurd downside, Lloyd is the only Packers back with any upside behind the workhorse.

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.