Josh Jacobs sets the record straight on controversial touchdown celebration as NFL decision still looms over Packers RB
The running back scored twice against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night, and one of his celebrations quickly sparked a debate on social media.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs had a controversial moment against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night. After scoring his first touchdown of the game, Jacobs celebrated in a way that many people on social media interpreted as a handcuff gesture. That reading creates obvious problems because Jacobs was arrested in May in connection to a domestic violence case.
After the game, Jacobs explained what actually happened.
“They didn’t even show the whole celebration,” Jacobs said. “They only showed me for a second. But Savion [Williams] and I had come up with a celebration. Basically, last week, we said that the first celebration, when I scored, I was going to thank God. That’s what I did last week. The second one was going to be “Break Every Chain,” a gospel song. That was gonna be the next celebration. It’s just a correlation. But like I said, the media is going to run with it and make it something it wasn’t. It is what it is.”
NFL investigation is still open, even though the legal case is resolved
Jacobs missed the first six games of the season while on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List because of his off-field issue. However, the league hasn’t closed the case yet, so the situation isn’t fully resolved for the Packers.
Jacobs could still face a suspension from the NFL once the league completes its process. If the league suspends him for up to six games, Jacobs won’t need to miss any more time. The games he already missed on the exempt list would count toward the suspension.
If a potential suspension is longer than six games, though, Jacobs would have to miss additional games. That would be a significant blow for an offense that is already searching for consistency on the ground.
There is also a financial aspect. Jacobs received his full salary while he was on the commissioner’s exempt list. If he is suspended, he would lose game checks based on his $10.2 million base salary, regardless of whether he misses any more games.
Inefficient night, but valuable touchdowns
On the field, Jacobs had a tough time against Carolina. Green Bay’s offensive line has struggled in run blocking, and that showed again on Thursday night.
Jacobs finished with 21 carries for only 39 yards, an average of 1.9 yards per carry. He did punch in a rushing touchdown, though. He also added six receptions for 13 yards and a receiving touchdown.
Those numbers don’t paint the picture of an efficient performance, either as a runner or as a pass-catcher. Jacobs still found a way to be productive where it counted most. His two touchdowns were a big part of an ugly but important win for the Packers against the Panthers.
For Green Bay, the immediate priority is fixing a run game that isn’t giving Jacobs much room to operate. The bigger question, however, is outside the team’s control. Until the NFL closes its case, the Packers can’t be fully certain how long they will have their starting running back available, and that uncertainty might hang over the backfield for the next several weeks.
