NFL: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
Dec 7, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs could face a four- to six-game NFL suspension, and that ruling would decide how long fantasy football managers and head coach Matt LaFleur must lean on an unproven backfield.
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday that the league’s investigation continues and a ruling may come soon. “A four-to-six-game suspension could be the range based on a few people I’ve talked to in the league, but that’s obviously fluid and based on the league’s findings,” Fowler wrote.
Jacobs has been on the NFL’s Commissioner’s Exempt List since Aug. 30. On Sept. 10, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges tied to a May incident involving his former girlfriend.
“I fully understand the seriousness of the situation, and I take full responsibility,” Jacobs said at the hearing.
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Josh Jacobs suspension timeline explained
Josh Jacobs suspension timeline makes MarShawn Lloyd a high-stakes fantasy football decision
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
On the list, Jacobs can’t practice or play but still collects his full salary. ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that some league sources expect the games Jacobs misses on the list to count toward any suspension.
If the NFL credits the Week 1 absence, a four-game suspension would cover three more games: Packers at Jets on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, Falcons at Packers on Sept. 24 and Packers at Buccaneers on Oct. 4. Jacobs would then return for Bears at Packers on Oct. 11.
A six-game suspension would add the Bears game and Cowboys at Packers on Oct. 18, which pushes his return to Packers at Lions on Oct. 25.
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Who replaces Jacobs for Green Bay?
Josh Jacobs suspension timeline makes MarShawn Lloyd a high-stakes fantasy football decision
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Running back MarShawn Lloyd, a 2024 third-round pick from USC, led the team with 13 carries for 37 yards, or 2.8 yards per carry, in the 39-22 loss at Minnesota. RB Chris Brooks ran 7 times for 29 yards but played 37 snaps to Lloyd’s 30 because he handled passing downs.
Running back Kaleb Johnson, acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers at the roster cutdown deadline, didn’t take an offensive snap.
LaFleur said Thursday that the 5-foot-9, 220-pound Lloyd has “shown a lot of confidence” that he can handle the top job.
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Green Bay offense fantasy football outlook
Josh Jacobs suspension timeline makes MarShawn Lloyd a high-stakes fantasy football decision
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Without Jacobs, the offense ran through quarterback Jordan Love. Contrary to what you may believe, that isn’t how the Packers want to play football. Jacobs is intended to be the centerpiece, so the whole offense’s energy is off-kilter without him.
Love completed 21 of 42 passes for 387 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Vikings. Lloyd and Brooks combined for 20 carries, even though Green Bay led 22-10 in the third quarter. Lloyd is slotted as my RB28 this week against the New York Jets, and Brooks is at RB45. That makes Lloyd a flex play at best, and Brooks is a bench stash.
Christian Watson caught six passes on eight targets for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Matthew Golden delivered six catches on 12 targets for 95 yards.
It’s only been one game, but it’s hard to trust any Packers running back.
Lloyd is a flex option against the Jets because he leads the backfield in carries. Brooks fits better in point-per-reception leagues because of his passing-down role, and Johnson is a best left on the waiver wire.
Managers with open bench spots should keep Jacobs rostered, since he would return between Week 5 and Week 7 if the league credits his time on the exempt list. He’s a must-have fantasy football option once he’s back on the field.
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Matt De Lima
Matt De Lima brings 15+ years of elite sports media experience to the table. From covering the gridiron to the hardwood, this Virginia Tech graduate has established himself as a versatile editor and writer for heavy hitters like Sports Illustrated and DraftKings. A twice-nominated FSWA finalist, Matt combines a digital-first philosophy with an eagle eye for breaking news, consistently delivering the engaging coverage today’s audience demands across the NFL, NBA, MLB, and beyond.
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