Josh Jacobs opened his rushing account for the 2026 NFL season on Thursday Night against the Carolina Panthers. Soon after, Jacobs’ celebration went viral.
Eight minutes after the Panthers took a four-point lead, the Packers mounted a nine-play, 86-yard drive that Jacobs finished with a one-yard touchdown. With that, the Packers took a slender lead.
Cameras surrounded Jacobs to film his celebration. The 28-year-old kept his head down and used his hands to send a message. He folded his hands behind his back, like police would handcuff a fugitive.
Jacobs missed six games this year because of a lawsuit. His ex-girlfriend accused him of assault. Hobart-Lawrence Police in Wisconsin on May 26. He was booked on five domestic battery-related charges. The investigation continued even after the police released him a day later.
On August 30, 2026, the NFL placed Jacobs on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. Jacobs appeared before the court on September 10 and to of battery and criminal damage to property.
The court accepted a deferred judgment agreement. A judge ordered Jacobs to seek mandatory counselling, supervision, and restitution. Moreover, he must avoid committing crimes and cannot contact the victim.
The Packers rivalry game in Detroit. He rushed 11 times for 36 yards, caught five passes for 55 yards, and scored a receiving touchdown. However, the Packers lost the game and Jacobs started against the Panthers at Lambeau Field on TNF.
After losing two in the first three weeks, the Packers went on a , defeating teams like the Buccaneers, Bears, and Cowboys. The defeat in Detroit ended their run.
Meanwhile, the Panthers were 3-3 ahead of facing the Packers in Green Bay. Carolina broke the deadlock with a Ryan Fitzgerald making a field goal from 39 yards. Packers QB Jordan Love connected with tight end Tucker Kraft for a touchdown near the end of the first quarter.
Chuba Hubbard and Jacobs traded touchdowns in the second. Wide receiver Matthew Golden caught a 24-yard touchdown pass, and Jacobs followed that up with his second receiving touchdown in the span of a few days.
Carolina trailed by seventeen points at the start of the fourth. Fitzgerald reduced the gap when he converted a field goal from 50 yards.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young threw his first and only touchdown of the game five minutes before the end. Young connected with WR Jalen Coker for a 26-yard touchdown. However, they failed to convert on the two-point try.
Young finished with 23 of 41 completions for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception (made by Packers Ty’Ron Hopper). Hubbard carried 22 times for 81 yards and one touchdown.
Love completed 30 of 41 passes for 288 yards, 3 touchdowns, and one interception. Jacobs, on his second game of the campaign, rushed 21 times for 39 yards and scored one touchdown. He also caught 6 passes and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Christian Watson briefly went to the hospital due to a chest injury. He returned to finish with 8 receptions and 113 yards. Matthew Golden caught 7 passes for 79 yards and one touchdown. The game finished 27-19.
The win improved the Packers’ record to 5-3 (.625). However, they are still at the bottom of the NFC North. The 4-2 Lions are third with a better win percentage (.667) as they have played fewer games.
The 6-0 Minnesota Vikings lead the North and are the NFC No. 1 seed. The 5-2 Chicago Bears are behind them in the second place. Meanwhile, the Packers play the New England Patriots next week.