The Green Bay Packers might have a major problem brewing just weeks before the season begins.
Star running back Josh Jacobs has officially been charged with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property stemming from his May arrest following an alleged incident at his home near Green Bay. Both charges are Class A misdemeanors.
Jacobs is presumed innocent, and his attorneys have emphasized that the charges filed by the Brown County District Attorney do not include domestic violence. The case will now work its way through the legal system, with Jacobs’ initial court appearance scheduled for November 17.
But there’s another question hanging over Jacobs that could be answered much sooner.
Will the NFL suspend him?
The league has confirmed that the situation remains under review, and ESPN reports that Jacobs is subject to potential discipline under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. Importantly, the NFL does not necessarily have to wait for a criminal conviction before handing down discipline.
That means there’s at least a possibility Jacobs could miss games to begin the 2026 season.
And the Packers appear to be preparing for exactly that scenario.
General manager Brian Gutekunst acknowledged that Green Bay could keep an additional running back on the roster if the organization believes Jacobs might be unavailable. The Packers currently have MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks behind Jacobs, with Pierre Strong Jr. another potential option.
That’s significant.
Teams don’t usually want to waste valuable 53-man roster spots preparing for something they believe has absolutely no chance of happening.
Green Bay opens the season September 13 against the Minnesota Vikings, and losing Jacobs for any amount of time would be a major blow to the offense. He rushed for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns last season after putting up 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first season with Green Bay.
For now, there has been no suspension announced, and it’s impossible to know whether one is actually coming.
But Jacobs being formally charged changes the situation.
The NFL is investigating. The Packers are preparing for the possibility that he won’t be available. And with Week 1 quickly approaching, one of Green Bay’s most important offensive players suddenly has a massive question mark hanging over his season.
