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Under the terms of the commissioner exempt list, Jacobs is effectively removed from the Packers' 53-man roster. He is prohibited from practicing with the team or attending games. While he remains on paid status, his access to team facilities is restricted to meetings, medical treatments, individual workouts, and other non-football activities, provided he receives permission from the organization. The NFL continues to review the case, and while Jacobs has an initial court appearance scheduled for November 17, the league maintains the authority to issue discipline independently of the legal proceedings.
Packers Adjust Roster with Kaleb Johnson Trade
In light of the uncertainty surrounding Jacobs' availability, the Green Bay Packers have moved to reinforce their running back room by acquiring Kaleb Johnson in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Johnson, an Iowa product who was selected by Pittsburgh with the 83rd overall pick in last year's draft, struggled to find a consistent role during his rookie campaign, recording 69 rushing yards on 28 carries across 10 appearances.
The addition of Johnson signals a shift in the Packers' depth chart, with Pierre Strong Jr. reportedly set to miss the final 53-man roster despite a productive preseason. The team is also looking for contributions from MarShawn Lloyd, a 2024 third-round pick who has been limited to one career game due to injuries, and Chris Brooks, who has primarily served as a blocking back on third downs.
Legal Representation and Steelers Context
Attorneys representing Jacobs—David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld, and Clarence F. Duchac III—issued a statement clarifying that the placement on the exempt list is an administrative procedure rather than a final determination. They noted that Jacobs respects the league's process, the Packers organization, and his teammates, and that he anticipates returning to the field.
For the Steelers, the departure of Johnson marks the end of a tenure that saw the running back struggle to gain traction. His time in Pittsburgh was highlighted by a notable special teams error during a Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, where he failed to recover a live ball in the landing zone, allowing the opposition to score a touchdown. Following that incident, Johnson’s playing time was significantly reduced, and he faced stiff competition from teammates Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, and Lew Nichols throughout the offseason.
