Lloyd does not start, winds up with 13 carries

The NFL is “closely monitoring all developments in the matter, which remains under review of the personal conduct policy.” We expect Jacobs to receive a suspension, but the league can move at its own pace. Packers RB MarShawn Lloyd is expected to serve as the fill-in starter.

Jacobs’ trial was initially slated to take place on November 17th. That date was recently moved up to today, signaling that Jacobs wanted to wrap up his legal proceedings quickly. He has been on the Commissioner’s Exempt List since the end of training camp. Roger Goodell could have kept him on the list indefinitely, especially with the trial previously scheduled multiple months into the season. With the legal matter now settled, Jacobs will likely serve a minor suspension as a result of the charges. MarShawn Lloyd is expected to handle the bulk of the carries until he returns.

“Asked if there’s a scenario in which the Packers release Jacobs, Gutekunst says he wants to let the process play out,” The Athletic’s Matt Schneidmann said. Jacobs on Sunday was placed on the Commissioners Exempt List while his legal situation plays out. Jacobs in May was arrested and booked on five charges, including felony strangulation. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Monday that Jacobs’ time on the exempt list was, for now, indefinite, and hinged entirely on how his legal situation unfolds. If damning video evidence is released, Jacobs could miss most or all of the regular season. MarShawn Lloyd would start the year as Green Bay’s lead back and has a chance to be one of fantasy’s best running back values.

Jacobs was charged on two misdemeanors last week after initially being arrested in late May on five counts, including one felony. Jacobs will still be paid but will be unable to participate in practice while he remains on the exempt list, although players are typically allowed to participate in team meetings. There is no telling how long Jacobs will remain on the exempt list as only the Commissioner holds the authority to remove him. Jacobs’ initial appearance in court is not scheduled until November, coinciding with Week 11, leaving a wide range of outcomes for fantasy managers to begin the season. Reading the tea leaves paints a morbid picture for Jacobs’ availability to start the 2026 regular season in less than two short weeks. MarShawn Lloyd suddenly finds himself atop the backfield depth chart in Green Bay and is a priority waiver addition for leagues that have already drafted, and should be treated as an upside back in the middle rounds of drafts.

Pelissero reminds us that Jacobs was “originally booked on five charges, including felony strangulation.” He now faces “reduced charges of misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property.” The NFL continues to monitor all developments in the matter, which remains under review. Jacobs could end up being suspended. His backups are RB MarShawn Lloyd, who has performed well all spring and summer, and RB Chris Brooks. Lloyd should be a priority in drafts at this time. According to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, the police department’s full incident report indicates that the department is in possession of a video showing Jacobs striking a woman after throwing her to the ground.

“We’ve obviously been preparing for that in case that happens,” Gutekunst said when asked about Jacobs, who in May was arrested on domestic abuse charges. “But at the same time, I feel really good about the guys we have in that room.” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said in August that the league would likely suspend Jacobs, though the length of the suspension had yet to be determined. MarShawn Lloyd would likely function as Green Bay’s lead back if Jacobs — who’s dealing with a lingering groin issue — misses regular season games. The oft-injured Lloyd has stayed healthy this offseason and has reportedly run well in training camp and joint practices. In last week’s preseason game against Denver, Lloyd played on 5-of-7 snaps during the first drive with the team’s starters.

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 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.