Packers Activate Josh Jacobs Ahead of Lions Showdown at Ford Field

Green Bay’s leading running back is expected to make his season debut Sunday, adding another challenge for Detroit’s defense in a crucial NFC North matchup.

DETROIT, MI — October 24, 2026 — The Detroit Lions will have another offensive weapon to account for when they face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon at Ford Field.

Green Bay officially activated running back Josh Jacobs from the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List on Saturday, clearing the way for the three-time Pro Bowler to make his 2026 season debut.

Jacobs missed the Packers’ first six games while on the exempt list. He returned to practice earlier this week after the NFL removed him from the designation Monday.

His activation makes him eligible to play Sunday, although Green Bay has not confirmed how many snaps he will receive.

The development gives the Packers a potentially significant boost ahead of their first meeting with Detroit this season.

Jacobs Returns After Missing First Six Games

Jacobs has not appeared in a regular-season game this year.

The 28-year-old was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List in August following a domestic incident involving his then-girlfriend in May.

Jacobs subsequently pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property.

Although the NFL removed him from the exempt list earlier this week, the league’s investigation under its personal conduct policy remains ongoing. Additional disciplinary action remains possible.

His return to the active roster does not mean the investigation has concluded.

From a football standpoint, Green Bay is welcoming back one of its most productive offensive players.

Jacobs rushed for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns during the 2025 season.

He previously recorded 1,329 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns during his first season with the Packers in 2024.

That production has been noticeably absent from Green Bay’s offense this year.

Packers Have Struggled to Run the Football

Through six games, Green Bay has struggled to establish a consistent rushing attack.

The Packers enter Sunday’s matchup averaging just 59.8 rushing yards per game, the lowest mark in the NFL.

Green Bay is also averaging only 2.9 yards per rushing attempt.

Without Jacobs, the Packers have relied on a rotation of running backs that includes MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson and Pierre Strong.

The group has struggled to generate consistent production.

Jacobs’ return could provide the physical running style and experience that Green Bay has been missing.

However, it remains unclear whether he will immediately receive his usual workload after missing six games.

That uncertainty creates an interesting challenge for Detroit’s defensive preparation.

What Jacobs’ Return Means for the Lions

For Detroit, Sunday’s matchup was already shaping up to be an important divisional contest.

Now the Lions must prepare for a Green Bay offense that could look different from the unit that played its first six games.

Jacobs is capable of generating yards after contact, extending drives and creating opportunities near the goal line.

His presence could also help quarterback Jordan Love by forcing Detroit to respect the running game.

If Green Bay can establish Jacobs early, the Packers could create more opportunities through play-action passing.

That makes Detroit’s defensive front particularly important.

The Lions must control the line of scrimmage, limit rushing opportunities and prevent Green Bay from developing offensive balance.

Detroit is also getting reinforcements of its own.

The Lions activated defensive back Brian Branch and center Cade Mays ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

Branch’s return gives Detroit additional flexibility in the secondary, while Mays provides another option along the offensive line.

Both teams will enter Sunday’s contest with notable roster additions.

MCSN ANALYSIS: Detroit Cannot Overlook Jacobs

The Packers have struggled to run the football all season.

That much is clear.

But assuming those struggles will continue simply because Green Bay is facing Detroit would be a mistake.

Jacobs is a proven NFL running back.

He has demonstrated the ability to carry an offense, produce in short-yardage situations and make defenders miss.

Even after missing six games, his presence changes how Detroit must approach Green Bay’s offense.

MCSN’s Take: The Lions need to make Jordan Love beat them through the air rather than allowing Jacobs to establish the running game.

Detroit’s defensive front must win early downs.

If the Lions can consistently limit Jacobs to short gains, Green Bay will be forced into more predictable passing situations.

That would create opportunities for Detroit’s pass rush.

However, if Jacobs finds success early, the Packers could control possession and prevent Detroit’s offense from establishing its preferred rhythm.

There is also the question of conditioning.

Jacobs has been training, but practicing and playing in an NFL game are two different challenges.

Green Bay must determine how much work he can realistically handle.

Detroit should be prepared for Jacobs to play a meaningful role without assuming he will receive every available carry.

The Lions have enough talent defensively to handle the challenge.

But they cannot afford to underestimate a player who has consistently produced throughout his career.

A Crucial NFC North Matchup

Green Bay enters Sunday’s game with a 4–2 record and three consecutive victories.

The Packers are looking to strengthen their position in the NFC North, while Detroit is preparing for an important divisional matchup at home.

With Jacobs returning and Detroit welcoming back Branch and Mays, both teams have additional personnel available.

The outcome could depend on which team makes the most of those reinforcements.

For the Lions, the defensive objective is straightforward: stop the run, pressure Love and avoid allowing Green Bay to control the tempo.

What’s Next?

The Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, October 25, at Ford Field.

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET.

Jacobs is expected to make his season debut, although his role will not be fully known until game day.

For Detroit, his return adds another storyline to an already significant NFC North showdown.

Motor City Sports Network will continue covering the Lions throughout Sunday’s matchup, including game-day developments, live updates and postgame analysis.