Packers' Josh Jacobs back at practice after exempt list removal, says he is remorseful
In short
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs returned to practice after the NFL removed him from the Commissioner Exempt List, and he apologized to teammates in his first comments to reporters since. The Packers are 4-2 and face the Detroit Lions in Week 7; Reuters' headline says he is expected to play, while Newsweek and Fox News say the team has not confirmed it.
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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs returned to practice this week after the NFL removed him from the Commissioner Exempt List last week, making him eligible to play the Detroit Lions in Week 7. Reuters' headline said he was back at practice and expected to play Sunday. Newsweek reported that coach Matt LaFleur had not yet confirmed whether he would play, and Fox News said the Packers had not said. [ 2 , 4 , 6 ]
Fox News reported that Jacobs spoke to reporters for the first time since returning to the team and apologized to his teammates. He said he was excited to be back, thanked the organization for supporting him through the process, and said he could not get into specifics but was remorseful. An AP headline described him as showing contrition as he returned to practice. [ 5 , 6 ]
Fox News said Jacobs missed the first six weeks of the 2026 season after an offseason domestic abuse arrest in May, which put him on the commissioner's exempt list on Aug. 30. It reported that he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. According to Fox News, the league continues to investigate, and the NFL has noted that his removal from the list does not hinder that investigation. [ 6 ]
Newsweek reported that the Packers are 4-2 despite an almost non-existent run game, and that without Jacobs Green Bay ranks last in rushing yards per game. An AP headline said his return could help the team address its biggest weakness. [ 1 , 2 ]
Newsweek also reported that pass rusher Micah Parsons will not practice this week as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered last season. After the Week 6 win over the Dallas Cowboys, cornerback Keisean Nixon said: "It's a different team now. Think they was scared of us then? We'll see what happen when 8 get back and then 1 come back." [ 2 ]
Why it matters
Newsweek reports Green Bay ranks last in rushing yards per game without Jacobs, so his return bears on the team's run game. Fox News reports the league's investigation into his case continues.
Key facts
- The Packers are 4-2 after six games of the 2026 NFL season. [ 2 ]
- The NFL removed Jacobs from the Commissioner Exempt List last week, making him eligible to face the Detroit Lions in Week 7. [ 2 , 6 ]
- Jacobs missed the first six weeks of the season after an offseason domestic abuse arrest in May; he was placed on the list on Aug. 30, Fox News reported. [ 6 ]
- Fox News reported that Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. [ 6 ]
- Jacobs spoke to reporters for the first time since returning to the team and said he was remorseful. [ 5 , 6 ]
- Pass rusher Micah Parsons will not practice this week as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered last season, Newsweek reported. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Jacobs will play against the Lions in Week 7. Reuters' headline says he is expected to play Sunday, while Newsweek says coach Matt LaFleur has not confirmed it and Fox News says the Packers have not said.
- The outcome of the NFL's investigation into Jacobs. Fox News says the league continues to investigate and that removal from the list does not hinder the investigation.
- When Micah Parsons will return. Newsweek says he is approaching a return but gives no date.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- AP published a piece on 19 October saying Jacobs' return could help the Packers address their biggest weakness. [ 1 ]
- Newsweek reported on 20 October that Jacobs would get a full slate of practice this week and that LaFleur had not confirmed he would play in Week 7. [ 2 ]
- Reuters reported on 21 October that Jacobs was back at practice and expected to play Sunday. [ 4 ]
- AP reported on 21 October that Jacobs showed contrition as he returned to practice. [ 5 ]
- Fox News published Jacobs' comments to reporters on 21 October, in which he said he was remorseful. [ 6 ]