he Green Bay Packers are hopeful that running back Josh Jacobs will be good to go for Week 1 of the rapidly approaching NFL season.
Jacobs had been sidelined at the start of Packers training camp with a groin injury, but has recently returned to practice.
While the Packers starters won’t be playing in Green Bay’s final preseason game on Friday, the main focus for the Packers is ensuring the health of starters like Brandon Cisse and Josh Jacobs.
On Monday, August 24, the Packers received a new Josh Jacobs update, which is a good sign for his Week 1 status.
Per Packers reporter Ryan Wood,
“Josh Jacobs is taking team reps after returning from groin injury, and he looks fresh. Good burst in the middle on his inside zone runs.”
Jacobs had actually returned to Packers practice last week, but was limited in the drills he took part in, and the reports seem to indicate he is ramping up his workload with the NFL season just over two weeks away.
There is one conundrum with Josh Jacobs’ 2026 status, and that’s if the NFL decides to hand down a punishment for his legal situation, which transpired in the offseason. Some NFL insiders have noted they wouldn’t be surprised if Jacobs does face a short suspension to start the season.
CheeseheadTV.com’s ‘PackerAaron’ wrote (on 8/24):
“Running back Josh Jacobs returned to practice as he continues working his way back from a groin injury. Jacobs was limited during team periods, but getting him back on the field is a positive step. MarShawn Lloyd has handled the No. 1 running back duties while Jacobs has been sidelined and has taken advantage of the additional work.”
An argument can be made that Josh Jacobs is the most important piece for the Green Bay Packers offense.
He is coming off a strong 2025 season, and if Jordan Love ever enters a period of struggles, Josh Jacobs will be relied on again to carry the offense, especially in the run game.
One of the primary reasons the Packers somewhat fizzled out last season was due to Jacobs’ knee injury, which clearly had an effect on his production after he missed one game.
Jacobs carried the ball 234 times for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. He also added 36 catches and another 282 receiving yards. He was on pace to post career numbers before the knee injury.
