Packers Clear Josh Jacobs to Play Ahead of Lions Game
WHO:
packers.com - Packers guard Aaron Banks was active for the game after missing the previous four contests due to injuries.
ProFootballRumors.com - Josh Jacobs is 28 years old and a Pro Bowl running back.
Heavy NFL - Packers reporter Easton Butler relayed the roster news attributed to Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber.
packers.com - Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the roster transactions.
packers.com - The Packers activated running back Josh Jacobs from exempt status and defensive tackle Jordon Riley from reserve/physically unable to perform status.
packers.com - Wide receiver Coleman Owen was signed from the Packers’ practice squad to the active roster; edge rusher Arron Mosby was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for game day.
Heavy NFL - Josh Jacobs is a running back for the Green Bay Packers.
Heavy NFL - ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported Jacobs’ activation.
WHAT:
packers.com - Green Bay’s inactive players included running back Kaleb Johnson, guard Kevin Zeitler, and nine other players: Benjamin St-Juste, Zaire Franklin, Jager Burton, Donovan Jennings, Jackson Meeks, Bishop Fitzgerald, Seth McLaughlin, Mekhi Wingo, and Ahmed Hassanein.
ProFootballRumors.com - Josh Jacobs said, “I think six games was a lot, honestly, but that’s not really up to me to decide,” and added, “I’m grateful to be playing.”
ProFootballRumors.com - Defensive tackle Jordon Riley was activated with time remaining in his 21-day activation window.
Heavy NFL - NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo reported that Jacobs is expected to handle a normal starter’s workload against Detroit.
ProFootballRumors.com - Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges, ending his criminal case.
ProFootballRumors.com - Jacobs said, “I’m remorseful and sorry for putting this team in this situation,” and described how “a four-second, three-second decision can alter your life.”
ProFootballRumors.com - The NFL’s investigation into Jacobs’ case is ongoing; the league could issue a fine or suspension, and his time on the exempt list would count toward any suspension.
ProFootballRumors.com - Green Bay ranked last in rushing yards per game and entered the game with a 4-2 record.
Fox News - Josh Jacobs is set to play against the Detroit Lions, his first game since his domestic violence arrest.
NY Post - Josh Jacobs spent the first six weeks of the season on the commissioner’s exempt list.
Heavy NFL - Bill Huber reported that the Packers signed wide receiver Coleman Owen to their 53-man roster.
packers.com - The Packers made four roster moves: activating Jacobs and Riley, signing Owen to the active roster, and elevating Mosby for game day.
Heavy NFL - Green Bay activated Jacobs, who was expected to make his season debut against Detroit.
packers.com - Owen returned one punt for 16 yards in the Packers’ game against the Dallas Cowboys.
packers.com - Owen previously appeared in two games for Indianapolis, recording five kick returns for 141 yards, an average of 28.2 yards, and one punt return for 2 yards.
packers.com - Owen earned first-team All-MAC honors in 2024, second-team All-Big Sky recognition in 2022 and 2023, and All-Big Sky honorable mention in 2021.
WHERE:
packers.com - The Packers-Lions game was at Ford Field in Detroit.
Heavy NFL - The Packers were preparing to face the Detroit Lions in an NFC North showdown.
packers.com - Owen played college football at Ohio University and Northern Arizona.
packers.com - Owen spent his rookie season on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad.
WHEN:
packers.com - Kevin Zeitler had not yet made his Green Bay debut when listed inactive for the game.
Heavy NFL - The report attributed to Bill Huber was published Saturday, Oct. 24.
Heavy NFL - The article said Jacobs was expected to make his season debut against Detroit on Oct. 25. The year is not specified in the article.
WHY:
ProFootballRumors.com - Riley’s placement on the reserve/physically unable to perform list guaranteed he would miss at least four games at the start of the season.
ProFootballRumors.com - Jacobs’ criminal case stemmed from a May incident with his then-girlfriend.
Fox News - Jacobs had spent six games on the commissioner’s exempt list following his arrest.
NY Post - Jacobs was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list following his arrest.
HOW:
packers.com - Owen, listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 181 pounds, signed with the Packers’ practice squad after previously signing with Indianapolis as an undrafted free agent.
packers.com - Owen signed with the Packers’ practice squad on Sept. 30 and was elevated to the active roster for the game against Dallas.
packers.com - Owen signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2025. He played 53 college games at Ohio (2024) and Northern Arizona (2019–23).
The Green Bay Packers activated running back Josh Jacobs from the commissioner’s exempt list, clearing the way for his season debut against Detroit. Jacobs had spent the first six games on the list after his arrest, and he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges, ending the criminal case. He said he was remorseful and grateful to play, while the NFL’s investigation remains open and could lead to a fine or suspension. Green Bay also activated defensive tackle Jordon Riley from the physically unable to perform list, signed wide receiver Coleman Owen to the active roster, and elevated edge rusher Arron Mosby for game day. Guard Aaron Banks was active after missing four games with injuries. The Packers listed 11 players as inactive, including running back Kaleb Johnson and guard Kevin Zeitler. Green Bay entered the game with a 4-2 record and ranked last in rushing yards per game.