Josh Jacobs spoke to reporters on Wednesday, October 21, for the first time since the May arrest that kept him away from the Green Bay Packers for the first six games of the season, and he opened with an apology to the team. “Obviously, man, I’m remorseful and sorry for putting this team in this situation,” the running back said at Lambeau Field. “Sometimes when you go through life, situations occur and a 4-second, 3-second decision can alter your life, honestly.”
Jacobs came off the Commissioner Exempt List on Monday, October 19, and practiced with the team on Wednesday for the first time this season. He pleaded no contest in September to two misdemeanor charges, battery and criminal damage to property, from a domestic incident in Wisconsin in May. The league’s personal conduct review is still open, and Jacobs said at the start that he could not get into specifics. He did not read from notes. The Packers posted the full session, a little over nine minutes, on their YouTube channel.
“Learn from this mistake and move forward”
Jacobs thanked the organization for supporting him “throughout this whole process” and said he had “learned a lot throughout this process legally and just personally.” He added: “I know for some people this might be a stain on me and my character. I feel like I don’t have to really speak on my character. A lot of people that know me in this locker room or that’s been around me, I’ll let them do that. But for me, man, I’m just trying to come back in here and play ball, learn from this mistake and move forward.”
He also said the time away changed how he sees his life. “Obviously, you never want to be in this situation, but just me being honest, for my life, it was probably one of the best things to ever happen to me,” he said. “It gave me a chance to sit down and re-evaluate what’s important and what I want my life to look like, and what do I want people to know me for.” He said it showed him who was in his corner, including people he “didn’t even know or even expect.”
Asked about the meeting he had with teammates after the arrest, Jacobs said he apologized “for the attention that it’s brought to this team,” and for teammates having to “watch what they say when it comes to that.” “So that’s just something I had to take accountability for,” he said. On fans who have turned on him, he said: “I’m not trying to win nobody back, and that’s just me being all the way honest.” He added that the situation “should’ve never even happened” and that he understands if people “feel some type of way about it.” “All I can do is keep showing up and being who I am, being a leader for this team, being a leader in this community.”
“I thought six games was a lot”
Jacobs was asked about the six games he spent on the list. “I think six games was a lot, honestly, but that’s not really up to me to decide,” he said. “I’m grateful to be playing, so that’s not even something that I’m like arguing or petitioning with.” He said he had expected to be back sooner, “but, you know, the optics of everything, I understand the other side.” Any discipline from the league’s review would be a separate decision.
Matt LaFleur backed his running back on Wednesday. “I think he’s extremely remorseful and I do believe he’s a good person,” the coach said. “I’ve been around him quite a bit. I believe in second chances.” On Monday he had called Jacobs “an elite-level back” and said whether he plays in Detroit is “to be determined.” LaFleur on Monday · Jacobs off the list.
Will he play against the Lions?
Jacobs was not on Wednesday’s injury report, and he said he has been training in a helmet and shoulder pads, “so it’s not like it’s like overly different.” The work now is getting back into the huddle, hearing the play call and executing it, and learning the linemen he has never played with. “I don’t know where we’re going to be at this week, or if I’m actually going to play or not. All I’m trying to do is get prepared to play if they let me,” he said, then added: “If it’s up to me, I’m going to play.”
Green Bay ranks last in the league in rushing at 59.8 yards per game after running 26 times for 57 yards in the 23-13 win over Dallas. Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said this week that Jacobs will help but will not fix the run game alone. Stenavich and Gannon.
What comes next
Jordan Love was limited on Wednesday’s estimated report with a sore back but said there is no chance he misses Sunday. Wednesday’s injury reports. The 4-2 Packers visit the 3-2 Detroit Lions on Sunday, October 25, at 4:25 p.m. ET (23:25 Cairo), then host the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, October 29. More on the club is on the Packers team page.
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