Jacobs on exempt list, Packers trade for RB Johnson
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- Josh Jacobs was placed on the NFL's commissioner exempt list Sunday, three days after being charged with misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property stemming from a May incident; he can't practice, attend games, or be on the Packers' 53-man roster but will be paid, with his initial court appearance set for Nov. 17
- Jacobs' attorneys (David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld, Clarence F. Duchac III) called the placement "an administrative procedure" and "not a final determination," and CBA Article 46, Section 5 states exempt-list time is credited toward any later suspension
- The Packers acquired RB Kaleb Johnson from the Steelers in response; Johnson rushed for just 69 yards on 28 carries as a rookie and was infamously beaten out for return duties by Lew Nichols and Travis Homer in Pittsburgh camp
- Pierre Strong Jr. will not make Green Bay's 53-man roster despite a strong preseason, and MarShawn Lloyd (one career game played) and Chris Brooks remain behind Jacobs on the depth chart
- Micah Parsons will start the season on the PUP list, missing at least four games while rehabbing a torn ACL/meniscus; he called a Week 6 return against his former Cowboys "realistic"
- Green Bay also acquired TE Mark Redman from the Rams for a 2028 seventh-round pick and signed veteran Jonnu Smith last week for depth behind starter Tucker Kraft (coming off ACL surgery)
Why it matters: Green Bay loses its lead running back and star pass rusher (Parsons on PUP) before Week 1, forcing back-to-back trades (Johnson, Redman) and the Jonnu Smith signing to patch the roster — and per the CBA, Jacobs' exempt-list time will credit toward any suspension the NFL later imposes after reviewing the case.
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