Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs will come off the NFL's commissioner's exempt list Monday, making him eligible to return in Week 7, the league announced Friday.
However, the NFL's investigation remains open, and Jacobs could be subject to discipline down the road.
"The NFL initiated an investigation under the personal conduct policy following Jacobs' arrest in May," the league said in a statement obtained by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "The league's review remains ongoing and is not affected by this change to Jacobs' roster status."
The NFL also plans to remove Denver Broncos pass-rusher Jonathan Cooper from its exempt list next week.
Jacobs pleaded no contest in September to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property stemming from an altercation with his then-girlfriend in May. He was charged in August and then placed on the NFL's exempt list shortly after.
The Packers running back will have missed the first six games of the season, including Sunday's matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, by the time he returns.
“Josh has dedicated the last several months to bettering himself, and he accepts responsibility for his actions," Jacobs' attorneys, Clarence F. Duchac III, David Z. Chesnoff, and Richard A. Schonfeld, said in a statement, according to The Ringer's Tom Pelissero. "He is excited to get back to work and on the field with his teammates. Josh is grateful for the support he is receiving from his teammates, coaches, the Packers organization, and the greatest fans in the world. Since there are ongoing legal matters, he will not have any further comment.”
Green Bay owns the worst rushing attack in the NFL with 302 yards on the ground through five games. MarShawn Lloyd is the team's leading rusher with 112 yards, though he's averaging just 2.8 yards per carry.
The 3-2 Packers trail the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North.
