Let’s hold off on those Josh Jacobs obits. The odds of him returning in October are starting to look better.
Per Michael Gross of Fox 11 News, Jacobs’ initial court appearance has been moved from Nov. 17 to next Thursday. With the season set to begin and Jacobs on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, apparently, there’s urgency to get things resolved.
Jacobs faces two misdemeanor charges, including battery, after a domestic dispute at his home in May. With things seemingly moving (deadlines spur action), it’s possible Jacobs will agree to some kind of a plea deal, allowing the league to then make its decision on a suspension. The Personal Conduct Policy sets a baseline of a six-game suspension without pay for a first-time offender, and Jacobs presumably will be credited for games missed while on the Exempt list.
It’s a fluid situation. Supposedly there’s footage of the incident from the home security cameras. A Packers source says the team hasn’t seen it. If (when?) that footage gets out, it could change things. But I would guess that Jacobs more likely than not will be back for the second half of the season. And with that potential sitting there, he’s a guy who definitely needs to be stashed away with a middle- or late-round pick.
Over the last two years, Jacobs is one of only five players who’s scored at least 30 touchdowns.
| PLAYERS WITH 20 TOUCHDOWNS(2024-25) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | G | Run | Rec | TD |
| Jahmyr Gibbs, Det. | 34 | 2635 | 1133 | 38 |
| Derrick Henry, Balt. | 34 | 3516 | 343 | 34 |
| Jonathan Taylor, Ind. | 31 | 3016 | 514 | 32 |
| James Cook, Buff. | 33 | 2630 | 549 | 32 |
| Josh Jacobs, G.B. | 32 | 2258 | 624 | 30 |
| Kyren Williams, LAR | 33 | 2551 | 463 | 29 |
| Josh Allen, Buff. | 34 | 1110 | 7 | 27 |
| Bijan Robinson, Atl. | 34 | 2934 | 1251 | 26 |
| Ja'Marr Chase, Cin. | 33 | 46 | 3120 | 25 |
| DeVon Achane, Mia. | 33 | 2257 | 1080 | 24 |
| Saquon Barkley, Phil. | 32 | 3145 | 551 | 24 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det. | 34 | 15 | 2664 | 23 |
| Jalen Hurts, Phil. | 31 | 1051 | 0 | 22 |
| Chase Brown, Cin. | 33 | 2009 | 797 | 22 |
| Davante Adams, 3 tms | 28 | 0 | 1852 | 22 |
| Zach Charbonnet, Sea. | 33 | 1299 | 484 | 21 |
| Tee Higgins, Cin. | 27 | 0 | 1757 | 21 |
| David Montgomery, Det. | 31 | 1491 | 533 | 20 |
If I’m walking into a draft today, I would still be more inclined to select MarShawn Lloyd before Jacobs. Lloyd is completely unproven, of course, but with him, he looks very likely to be starting for at least the first half of the season. (He may start for the duration). With Jacobs, you’re hoping he’ll be around for the second half of the year.
—Ian Allan
