What Is the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List? Josh Jacobs, Packers Depth Chart and 2026 Update
The NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List is back in the spotlight after Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs was placed on the list ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
For Packers fans and fantasy football players, the biggest questions are straightforward: What does the Commissioner’s Exempt List mean? Is Josh Jacobs suspended? How long will Josh Jacobs be out? Who is his backup in Green Bay? And will Josh Jacobs play this year?
Here is what we know right now.
What Is the Commissioner’s Exempt List in the NFL?
The Commissioner’s Exempt List is a special roster status used by the NFL in unusual circumstances, generally while the league reviews a player's situation.
According to the NFL's explanation of the policy, only the commissioner can place a player on the exempt list. A player on the list is temporarily exempt from the club's active roster limit, and the commissioner determines when the exemption will end.
Being placed on the list is not the same thing as receiving a suspension.
The distinction is important:
Exempt List: The player is temporarily prevented from participating while the NFL handles its review.
Suspension: Formal discipline imposed by the NFL.
Exempt List does not automatically mean the player has been found guilty of a criminal offense or an NFL policy violation.
In Josh Jacobs' case, the NFL's action means he cannot currently practice or play while he remains on the list.
Why Is Josh Jacobs on the Commissioner’s Exempt List?
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs was placed on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List on August 30, 2026.
The move followed criminal charges stemming from a May incident in Wisconsin.
Jacobs was initially arrested following a disturbance at his home. Prosecutors later filed two misdemeanor charges: battery and criminal damage to property. The more serious allegations from the initial arrest were not pursued as felony charges.
Jacobs and his attorneys have denied wrongdoing and emphasized that the Commissioner’s Exempt List is an administrative step rather than a final determination of guilt.
The NFL is conducting its own review, which is separate from the criminal court process.
Is Josh Jacobs Suspended?
Not yet, based on the latest information.
Josh Jacobs has been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, but that does not itself constitute a formal NFL suspension.
The NFL could eventually issue additional discipline after completing its review. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has already indicated that the team has been preparing for the possibility of a suspension.
That means the answer to "Is Josh Jacobs suspended?" is currently different from the answer to "Is Josh Jacobs available?"
He is currently unavailable because he is on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.
How Long Will Josh Jacobs Be Out?
There is currently no confirmed timetable for how long Josh Jacobs will remain on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.
That is one of the biggest questions surrounding the Packers heading into the 2026 season.
The NFL could eventually remove Jacobs from the list, impose a suspension, or take another disciplinary action depending on the outcome of its review.
Because no final suspension length has been announced, claims that Josh Jacobs will definitely miss a specific number of games should be treated cautiously.
Will Josh Jacobs Play in 2026?
At the moment, his 2026 availability is uncertain.
The Packers still have Jacobs under contract, and head coach Matt LaFleur previously said that the team fully anticipated Jacobs remaining a member of the organization. However, his placement on the exempt list means he cannot currently participate in practices or games.
So, will Josh Jacobs play this year?
It is possible, but there is no confirmed return date right now.
The situation could change once the NFL completes its review and determines whether additional discipline is necessary.
Josh Jacobs Charges: What Happened?
The latest criminal case involves two misdemeanor charges:
Battery
Criminal damage to property
Jacobs was originally arrested in May following a reported physical confrontation. The case subsequently moved forward with the two misdemeanor charges rather than the more serious allegations initially associated with the arrest.
It is important to distinguish the legal allegations from the NFL's disciplinary process. The NFL can conduct its own investigation and impose discipline under its policies independently of the outcome of a criminal case.
Jacobs' next scheduled court appearance is November 17, according to reports.
Packers Running Back Depth Chart
The Josh Jacobs situation has created an immediate question for the Green Bay Packers running back depth chart.
The Packers' official depth chart currently lists:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| RB | Josh Jacobs |
| RB | Chris Brooks |
| RB | MarShawn Lloyd |
| RB | Pierre Strong Jr. |
However, the situation changed quickly after Jacobs was placed on the exempt list. Green Bay also acquired Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers, adding another option to the running back room.
That makes the Packers' running back situation one of the most interesting position battles to watch heading into Week 1.
Who Is Josh Jacobs' Backup?
The most important name to watch is MarShawn Lloyd.
Lloyd has been viewed as a potential successor or temporary lead back if Jacobs is unavailable. Recent fantasy football analysis has highlighted Lloyd as one of the Packers' most important running backs because of the uncertainty surrounding Jacobs.
Chris Brooks is another option, while Green Bay's acquisition of Kaleb Johnson gives the team additional depth.
The current situation means the answer to "Who is Josh Jacobs' backup?" could depend on how the Packers distribute touches once the regular season begins.
MarShawn Lloyd Fantasy Outlook
For fantasy football managers, MarShawn Lloyd suddenly becomes much more interesting.
If Josh Jacobs misses games because of the exempt list or a subsequent suspension, Lloyd could receive significantly more opportunities in the Packers offense.
Lloyd's fantasy value therefore depends heavily on Jacobs' eventual status.
If Jacobs returns quickly, Lloyd could settle into a complementary role.
If Jacobs misses an extended period, Lloyd could become one of the most important waiver-wire and late-round fantasy football names in Green Bay.
That makes Lloyd a player worth monitoring closely as fantasy drafts approach.
Josh Jacobs Fantasy Football Outlook
Josh Jacobs remains one of the most difficult fantasy football players to evaluate in 2026.
When available, Jacobs has been a productive running back for Green Bay. In 2025, he rushed for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns, while adding 282 receiving yards.
The problem for fantasy managers isn't primarily his talent.
It is his availability.
Until the NFL announces the next step in the case, Jacobs carries considerably more risk than a typical starting running back.
Fantasy managers should therefore monitor:
NFL disciplinary announcements
The status of the Commissioner’s Exempt List
Any potential suspension
Packers practice reports
MarShawn Lloyd's role
Kaleb Johnson's involvement
Green Bay's final active roster
Green Bay Packers Depth Chart 2026
The Packers enter the 2026 season with Jordan Love at quarterback and a talented group of offensive skill players.
The official Packers depth chart currently lists Josh Jacobs, Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd and Pierre Strong Jr. at running back.
But the addition of Kaleb Johnson means the running back depth chart could change again before the Packers play their first regular-season game.
The key question is whether Jacobs returns to the lineup, receives a formal suspension, or remains unavailable for an extended period.
Packers RB Depth Chart: Who Could Lead the Backfield?
If Jacobs cannot play, the Packers have several candidates.
MarShawn Lloyd
Lloyd is arguably the most intriguing option because of his potential to handle a larger workload. He has impressed during the offseason when healthy and has been repeatedly mentioned as the leading candidate to benefit from Jacobs' absence.
Kaleb Johnson
Green Bay's trade for Johnson is significant because it gives the Packers another young running back capable of competing for touches. The Packers made the move immediately after Jacobs was placed on the exempt list.
Chris Brooks
Brooks provides another experienced option in the running back room and is listed on the Packers' official depth chart.
Pierre Strong Jr.
Strong gives Green Bay additional depth and could see opportunities depending on injuries, game plans and roster decisions.
What Does the Commissioner’s Exempt List Mean for Josh Jacobs?
In simple terms, it means:
Josh Jacobs is temporarily unavailable to the Packers while the NFL handles his situation.
It does not automatically mean that Josh Jacobs has been suspended, and it does not represent a final finding of guilt.
The NFL can use the exempt list while reviewing circumstances involving a player. The league ultimately controls when a player is removed from the list.
For Jacobs, the immediate result is clear: he cannot practice or play while he remains on the list.
Will Josh Jacobs Play Week 1?
As of August 31, 2026, Josh Jacobs' Week 1 status is uncertain.
Because he is currently on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, he is not eligible to play unless his status changes.
The Packers open their 2026 regular season against the Minnesota Vikings on September 13, meaning the team has limited time to prepare for the possibility that Jacobs will not be available.
Green Bay's recent trade for Kaleb Johnson suggests the team is taking the uncertainty seriously.
What Should Packers Fans Watch Next?
The next major developments will likely involve the NFL's investigation and any decision regarding further discipline.
For Packers fans, the most important questions are:
Will Josh Jacobs be removed from the exempt list?
Will the NFL suspend Josh Jacobs?
How many games could he miss?
Will MarShawn Lloyd become the starting running back?
How will Kaleb Johnson fit into the Packers offense?
Until those questions are answered, the Packers' running back depth chart remains one of the biggest storylines surrounding the team.
Bottom Line
The NFL Commissioner's Exempt List is a temporary status that can keep a player away from team activities while the league reviews an unusual or potentially disciplinary situation.
Josh Jacobs is currently on that list following his 2026 arrest and subsequent misdemeanor charges for battery and criminal damage to property. He is not currently playing or practicing, but being on the exempt list is not itself a final suspension.
For the Packers, the uncertainty makes MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson and Chris Brooks especially important heading into the 2026 season.
For fantasy football managers, Josh Jacobs should be considered a high-risk player until the NFL provides more clarity, while Lloyd and Johnson deserve increased attention as potential beneficiaries.
The biggest takeaway: Josh Jacobs is currently unavailable, but his ultimate 2026 suspension length — or whether he receives a suspension at all — has not been determined.
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