The Green Bay Packers are gearing up for the 2026 NFL season, but much of the focus surrounding the franchise has shifted away from on-field performance. Running back Josh Jacobs faces potential availability issues heading into Week 1 due to an ongoing legal concern.
Jacobs was arrested in May following an offseason incident in Wisconsin, which has cast doubt on his availability at the start of the season. The NFL has not handed out any discipline to the veteran RB at this time. Still, the situation remains uncertain.
Will Packers’ Josh Jacobs Be Suspended For Week 1?
On May 23, police responded to a disturbance involving Jacobs in Brown County, Wisconsin.
He was booked into Brown County Jail on May 26 on five charges, including felony strangulation. The 28-year-old was also booked for four misdemeanor counts of assault, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, and intimidation of a victim.
Jacobs was released from jail shortly after being booked. In a statement to the media following his arrest, his lawyers expressed confidence that the evidence was in their client’s favor.
“We remain confident that, once all of the evidence is gathered and evaluated, it will confirm that no charges should be brought against Josh in the future,” Jacobs’ attorneys said, via NFL.com.
Moreover, Jacobs, through his attorneys, denied the accusations at the time of his arrest, saying he “vehemently denies the allegations” and asking for “fairness and restraint while the judicial process takes its course.”
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On August 27, it was confirmed that Jacobs has been charged with two charges: misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property.
According to ESPN, Jacobs “grabbed” his girlfriend “and threw her to the ground and she struck her head, suffering an injury.”
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy also shared a statement on the situation, which read: “We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter, which remains under review.”
“It’s possible the Green Bay Packers are going to lose Josh Jacobs,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on August 11. “That also still is under review and still a pending situation with the NFL.”
Losing Jacobs would create a major void in Green Bay’s offense. In 2025, in his second season with the Packers, he rushed for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns to help lead Green Bay back to the postseason. Jacobs finished the 2025 campaign with the 16th-highest impact rating among running backs, according to PFN’s in-house RB Impact Metric.
Green Bay is unsure whether Jacobs will be available for Week 1. The Packers open their 2026 regular season on Sept. 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. With primary backup MarShawn Lloyd positioned to take on a larger workload if needed, the team continues to await final clarity from the league office.
