Packers hopeful return of RB Josh Jacobs 'can provide a spark' to run game

The Green Bay Packers are hopeful that the return of veteran running back Josh Jacobs — which could happen this week against the Detroit Lions — can help spark the team’s flatlined running game.

Jacobs, who pled no contest to two misdemeanor charges on Sept. 10, missed the first six games of the regular season while on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. He was removed from the list on Monday, and Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Jacobs will get a full week of practice this week, starting on Wednesday.

While his status for Sunday against the Lions is “to be determined,” per LaFleur, the Packers need Jacobs to eventually spark the run game back to life.

“Well, I think he’s an elite-level back. He’s certainly not going to hurt it,” LaFleur said Monday. “I think he can provide a spark.”

LaFleur said Jacobs has been in meetings and training while on the exempt list, but he’s “missed the exposure to football” and will need to get back into playing shape after missing a month and a half of practices. He’ll get a chance to go through three practices this week before the Packers determine his status for Sunday.

The Packers need the spark. Through six games, no player has rushed for more than 42 yards in a game for the Packers, and Green Bay ranks last in the NFL in total rushing yards (359), rushing yards per game (59.8) and yards per attempt (2.9).

During Sunday’s win over the Dallas Cowboys, Pierre Strong Jr., MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson rushed 20 times for 36 yards.

Jacobs, a three-time Pro Bowler, has rushed for 2,258 yards and 28 touchdowns over two seasons and 32 games with the Packers. However, his success rate, yards per carry average and rushing yards per game average all dropped between 2024 to 2025, and it’s possible any and all running backs would struggle behind the Packers current offensive line.

Still, Jacobs is a veteran running back who knows how to read blocks, create missed tackles and get every possible inch out of every run. He isn’t going to miss holes created by the offensive line, and he’ll get more each time the offensive line doesn’t get everyone blocked right.

Will Jacobs truly spark the run game? Maybe, maybe not. It’s been ugly through six games, and it’s clear the Packers are not going to be a great running team no matter who is getting the football. The offensive line and tight ends are too inconsistent down to down.

If nothing else, Jacobs is an experienced runner who will be entering the fray rested and ready to go. His presence alone could provide a boost if defenses respect him more than the running back the Packers were rolling out to start the season.

As LaFleur said, Jacobs isn’t going to hurt the run game. The Packers are at rock bottom. There’s no where to go but up.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers hopeful return of RB Josh Jacobs ‘can provide a spark’ to run game