Josh Jacobs breaks silence after arrest with first public comments since legal trouble emerged
The running back returned to practice this week after missing the first six games of the season on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs broke his silence Wednesday, speaking publicly for the first time since his arrest in May. Jacobs returned to practice after the NFL lifted him from the Commissioner’s Exempt List on Monday, which makes him available to play Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
“First, I’m excited to be back with the team and the guys. I want to thank the organization for supporting me throughout this whole process and how everything played out,” Jacobs said. “I can’t get into a lot of specifics, but obviously, I’m remorseful and sorry for putting this team in this situation. Sometimes in life, situations occur, and a three- or four-second decision can honestly alter your life. With that being said, I’m still a human being trying to learn and grow from the whole process. I learned a lot throughout this process, both legally and personally. Going forward, I’m just trying to be better.”
The league awarded the Packers a roster exemption for one week. Even so, Jacobs is cleared to practice, and he could potentially suit up against Detroit.
Jacobs also said one mistake won’t necessarily define him as a person or his character. That was the central message he wanted to deliver about the situation.
“I know for some people this might be a stain on me and my character,” Jacobs added. “I feel like I don’t have to speak on my character. A lot of people in this locker room who know me or have been around me can speak to that. For me, I’m just trying to get back out there and play ball, learn from this mistake and move forward.”
Jacobs missed six games while on the Exempt List
Jacobs was arrested on May 26 in connection with an incident involving his ex-girlfriend that occurred on May 23. He has already resolved the criminal case, pleading no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property. The plea means Jacobs agreed to resolve the case without fighting the charges, though he did not formally admit guilt.
Resolving the criminal side doesn’t close everything for Green Bay. The league still has its own process, and that is where the remaining uncertainty sits.
The NFL can still suspend Jacobs. If that happens, the six games he missed while on the Commissioner’s Exempt List would count toward the suspension.
A four- or six-game suspension, for example, wouldn’t require Jacobs to miss any additional time. An eight-game suspension would mean two more games on the sideline.
That isn’t necessarily how the situation will play out, though. The league hasn’t announced any discipline, and the timing of a potential decision remains unclear. For now, at least, Jacobs is available to play for the Packers.
Financial and roster ramifications for the Packers
There’s also a financial piece to this. Because Jacobs was never suspended, and was only placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, he is receiving his full salary. His base salary for the year is $10.2 million. However, he didn’t earn $250,590 in per-game active bonuses. A potential future suspension would change that picture.
For the Packers, the immediate question is how much of a role Jacobs will have against the Lions. He has been away from the team for six games, and the roster exemption gives Green Bay some flexibility in how it handles his return. But Jacobs is expected to play.
Beyond Sunday, the outlook depends on the league. If the NFL decides the time already served is enough, Jacobs could move forward without missing another snap. If it doesn’t, the Packers could lose him again for part of the season.
