The NFL is removing Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs and Denver Broncos pass rusher Jonathon Cooper from the Commissioner Exempt List. Jacobs will be eligible to play in the Packers’ Week 7 game against the Detroit Lions, while Cooper is cleared to return for the Broncos’ matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.
Status Changes for Josh Jacobs and Jonathon Cooper
The league announced on Friday that both players will be removed from the commissioner’s exempt list. Josh Jacobs was initially placed on the list on August 30 following an investigation into a May domestic incident. Jonathon Cooper was also placed on the list following arrests in June related to domestic violence allegations. Having been chosen by the Raiders in round one of the 2019 NFL Draft, Jacobs spent his initial five professional seasons with the franchise before moving to the Packers in 2024 as a free agent. Details included in this report originate from the Wisconsin Circuit Court, the Brown County District Attorney’s Office, and the NFL.
From the NFL, re: Josh Jacobs: “A player who is placed on the Commissioner Exempt List may not practice or attend games, but upon request and with the club’s permission he may be present at the club’s facility on a reasonable basis for meetings, individual workouts, therapy and…
While the designation is not a formal suspension, it has prevented both players from practicing or playing for their respective teams. Though they remained on the exempt list, both players continued to receive their salaries. According to league rules, any games missed while on the list could potentially count toward a future suspension, at which point the NFL could seek repayment of salary earned during that period. Being sidelined allowed the running back to conclude his legal matters faster than anticipated.
Legal Proceedings and Evidence Disputes
Jacobs’ return follows the resolution of his criminal case in Wisconsin. On September 10, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property, resulting in a $1,000 fine. Despite this plea, the NFL’s own investigation remains active. The league has reportedly sought to obtain surveillance footage of the incident, a move intended to avoid the scrutiny it faced during the 2014 Ray Rice case, where initial punishment was deemed insufficient after video evidence surfaced. In August of that year, commissioner Roger Goodell stiffened penalties for subsequent domestic violence incidents, stating that athletes would face a ban of no less than six games for a first violation after he ultimately conceded he didn't get it right.
Tensions regarding evidence have played out in court filings. Jacobs and the victim in his case recently filed lawsuits against the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department to block the public release of records, including video. Jacobs’ legal team argued the release could reveal home security layouts, increasing the risk of theft, burglary, robbery, trespass, or other criminal conduct.
His attorney stated that Jacobs accepts responsibility for his actions
and is excited to get back on the field with his teammates.
Jonathon Cooper’s legal status remains pending. After being arrested for domestic violence and criminal mischief in Colorado, he faced additional charges for allegedly violating a protection order. His trial date was recently moved to March, with a pretrial scheduled for Feb. 19.
Ongoing League Investigations
Despite the roster changes, the NFL has emphasized that its oversight of both players has not concluded. A league statement clarified that the investigation into both the Josh Jacobs and Jonathon Cooper situations remains ongoing
and is not influenced by their return to team activities. Both athletes are cleared for participation in Week 7, though their franchises must evaluate their readiness before putting them on the field. Denver currently sits at 4-2, having defeated the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.