Josh Jacobs' and Jonathon Cooper's Week 1 status is in doubt.
The NFL placed the Green Bay Packers running back on the commissioner's exempt list, while the Denver Broncos linebacker also landed there, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Sunday.
Jacobs is facing misdemeanour charges of battery and criminal damage to property stemming from what police described as a physical confrontation with his girlfriend in May.
His lawyers — David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld, and Clarence F. Duchac III — issued a statement acknowledging the charges earlier in August, noting they “do not include domestic violence.”
Cooper was involved in two domestic incidents and arrested twice over the summer. He is facing five charges, including felony assault.
The commissioner's exempt list essentially places Jacobs and Cooper on indefinite paid leave. The Packers open their season Sept. 13 on the road against the Minnesota Vikings.
The move also prevents both players from practising or attending games.
Upon request and with the club’s permission, they may be present at the club’s facility on a reasonable basis for meetings, individual workouts, therapy and rehabilitation and other permitted non-football activities.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed Sunday that Jacobs had been placed on the list, a move that comes three days after the charges were filed against him.
Jacobs rushed for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. That followed a 2024 season in which Jacobs ran for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns while earning his third Pro Bowl selection.
The 28-year-old has rushed for 7,803 yards and 74 touchdowns in his seven-year career, which included five seasons with the Raiders. He earned All-Pro honours and had an NFL-leading 1,653 yards rushing with Las Vegas in 2022.
Earlier Sunday, the Packers reportedly acquired running back Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cooper, a seventh-round draft pick out of Ohio State in 2021, is entering his sixth season with the Broncos. He has started every game since 2023 and has 31 1/2 career sacks, including eight last season when he also registered a sack in the playoffs.
--with files from The Associated Press
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