The NFL’s latest round of discipline has Green Bay sitting in a holding pattern, and Josh Jacobs is still the name Packers fans are watching most closely.
Jacobs was not among the three players the league announced Friday as suspended for the upcoming regular season, but his situation remains unresolved. The NFL is investigating an alleged domestic incident, and earlier this week ESPN’s Adam Schefter said the matter was “under review” with the league.
"It's also possible... the Green Bay Packers are going to lose Josh Jacobs," Schefter said. "That also still is under review and still a pending situation with the NFL."
Friday’s announced suspensions came for Titans DB Nazeeh Johnson, who was hit with six games for violating the PED policy, Commanders DE Dorance Armstrong, who received a one-game suspension for violating the personal-conduct policy, and Bills DT Phidarian Mathis, who was suspended three games for violating the substance-abuse policy.
For now, Green Bay is left waiting to see whether more league discipline is coming before Week 1.
There’s also the football side of the equation, and that’s part of what makes this so tense for the Packers. Jacobs has been dealing with a groin injury this preseason, though head coach Matt LaFleur said Friday he was hopeful the running back could get back on the field later next week.
"Matt LaFleur said RB Josh Jacobs (groin) could 'potentially' return for this upcoming week of training camp practices 'but it wouldn't be until later in the week.'"
The Packers badly need him available. Jacobs ran for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, and he added 36 catches for 282 yards and a score.
Green Bay also saw its second-leading rusher from last season, Emanuel Wilson, leave for the Seattle Seahawks in free agency. That leaves Damien Martinez, Chris Brooks, Pierre Strong Jr., and MarShawn Lloyd on the depth chart.
In Thursday night’s 28-9 preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Martinez led the Packers in rushing with eight carries for 20 yards. Lloyd had three carries for 10 yards, and Strong finished with three carries for nine yards.
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