Tag: Jacobs

RB Josh Jacobs, other Packers might be game-time decisions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Already without star defensive end Micah Parsons for the rest of the season, the Green Bay Packers are dealing with other key injuries — namely star running back Josh Jacobs — ahead of Saturday’s crucial divisional showdown at the Chicago Bears.

Jacobs (knee), starting right tackle Zach Tom (back/knee), starting safety Evan WIlliams (knee) and starting wide receiver Christian Watson (chest/shoulder) have not practiced all week, but Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said on Thursday that he is not ready to rule out any of them with first place on the line.

The Packers (9-4-1), who beat Chicago in Week 14, are a half-game behind the Bears (10-4) in the NFC North.

“We’ve got a lot of guys — this injury list is pretty substantial — so we’ve got a lot of things to figure out over these next couple of days,” LaFleur told reporters.

“I know every one of these guys is going to be fighting to make it by gametime.”

Along with the knee injury he has been battling for weeks, Jacobs is also dealing with an ankle issue. The 27-year-old has rushed for 890 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games this season. He also has 33 receptions for 270 yards and one score.

If Jacobs does sit, Emanuel Wilson would take over lead back duties, while Darian Kinnard would be in line to replace Tom. Kinnard replaced Tom after the latter left Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos after Jacobs’ receiving touchdown in the second quarter. Jordan Morgan, Green Bay’s 2024 first-round draft pick, could also see time at right tackle.

Wilson filled in for Jacobs in Week 12 and rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. For the season, Wilson, 26, has rushed for 354 yards and three scores on 90 carries in 14 games.

Williams told reporters Wednesday that he sprained his MCL and considered himself day-to-day. Zayne Anderson took over for Williams and is a candidate to start if Williams can’t go Saturday, though Green Bay could also move slot corner Javon Bullard to safety.

Watson, who left Sunday’s loss after Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II landed on him while intercepting a pass, was taken to a hospital for tests but was cleared of any serious injury and may suit up Saturday.

LaFleur said it will depend on how the 26-year-old is able to manage the pain in his chest and shoulder and whether those areas affect his performance. Watson has 28 receptions for 481 yards and five TDs in eight games this season.

–Field Level Media

Toledo hires Mercer’s Mike Jacobs as head coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Mike Jacobs was named the head coach of the Toledo Rockets on Wednesday, replacing Jason Candle.

Jacobs, 46, spent the past two seasons as the coach at Mercer, compiling a 20-6 record (9-3 in 2025) with two trips to the FCS playoffs.

He has an overall record of 94-23 (.803) including stints at Lenoir-Rhyne from 2020-23 and Notre Dame (Ohio) from 2016-19.

“Mike Jacobs is one of the winningest active head coaches in the nation and an extraordinary fit for Rocket Football,” Toledo athletic director Bryan B. Blair said in a news release. “Across 10 seasons as a head coach, he has compiled a remarkable record. He has earned five conference Coach of the Year honors, won seven conference championships, and never had a losing season.”

Candle was named the head coach at UConn on Saturday after compiling an 81-44 record at Toledo since 2015.

Jacobs is an Ohio native who was an offensive lineman and long snapper at Ohio State from 1997-2001.

“My family and I are humbled and honored to lead the University of Toledo’s storied football program,” Jacobs said. “We are looking forward to being a part of Team Toledo and helping this program achieve new heights.”

He was named the Southern Conference’s Coach of the Year in both seasons at Mercer. The Bears’ season ended on Saturday with a loss to South Dakota in the second round of the FCS playoffs.

–Field Level Media

Packers RB Josh Jacobs participates in practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Packers running back Josh Jacobs participated in practice segments open for media viewing on Thursday, catching passes out of the backfield and running after receptions.

Within the short viewing period, Jacobs showed no signs of physical limitations. The Packers (6-3-1) later revealed he was a limited participant due to a knee injury.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love (shoulder) said he’s “feeling good” and plans to play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings (4-6). Love and Jacobs were sidelined by injuries in Green Bay’s win over the New York Giants last week. Love only missed seven snaps and was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.

What the skill-position assembly around Love might be on Sunday is still unclear. Five of the team’s top six receivers were on the injury report to start the week and that doesn’t include Jayden Reed (foot, clavicle), who caught passes on the JUGS machine Thursday. Reed has been on injured reserve since September and underwent surgery for a Jones fracture in his foot.

Love’s No. 1 receiver Romeo Doubs (wrist) was seen only during parts of Thursday’s practice. He was listed as a limited participant.

Jacobs, 27, was replaced in the backfield last week by Emanuel Wilson. But head coach Matt LaFleur insists the team’s RB1 is “truly day-to-day” and could start when the Vikings come to Green Bay on Sunday.

Jacobs is fifth in the NFL with 169 carries and has 11 rushing touchdowns, which ranks second in the NFL. He has rushed for 648 yards.

Jacobs is going for his fourth game in a row at home with 100 or more yards from scrimmage and 10th in row at Lambeau with a rushing TD.

–Field Level Media

Reports: Packers RB Josh Jacobs day-to-day with knee injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Packers running back Josh Jacobs avoided a major knee injury and is considered day-to-day, according to multiple reports.

Jacobs was hurt Sunday in the Packers’ win over the New York Giants. He gained 40 yards on seven carries before leaving early in the second quarter.

Emanuel Wilson replaced Jacobs in the backfield and scored on an 11-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter. Wilson would be in line to start if Jacobs is unable to play against the Minnesota Vikings this week.

Despite practice limitations with ankle and soft-tissue injuries the past two seasons, Jacobs is fifth in the NFL with 169 carries and has 11 rushing touchdowns. He regularly rests during Wednesday practices because of his heavy workload but was given an “11 out of 10” for toughness by head coach Matt LaFleur when an ankle issue impacted him last season.

LaFleur said Jacobs is a “coach’s dream” because of his work ethic and determination to “find a way to get it done.”

In two of the past three seasons, Jacobs has played in every regular-season game and tallied 300-plus carries.

Signed to a four-year deal in March 2024, Jacobs has 7,522 rushing yards and 72 rushing touchdowns in 100 career games.

–Field Level Media

Aug 15, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni walks to the bench before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Eagles, Packers insist it’s business as usual for opener in Brazil

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia hasn’t lost a game in September since 2021 and is 3-0 in season openers under coach Nick Sirianni.

The Eagles will try to extend that success in a different hemisphere in Friday night’s unprecedented Week 1 date with the Green Bay Packers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the first NFL regular-season game in South America.

“It’s going to be good for us to go play in a neutral site and handle the different things that pop up in the NFL,” Sirianni said.

“… There are things you can’t control. What we can control is our effort, we can control our attitude, we can control our core values, and we’re going to focus on that this week.”

Philadelphia won its first eight games and started 13-1 in 2022 en route to advancing to Super Bowl LVII. The Eagles won their first five contests and started 10-1 last season before losing in the wild-card round.

Green Bay is coming off its fourth playoff appearance in five seasons under coach Matt LaFleur. The Packers lost to the San Francisco 49ers on a late Christian McCaffrey touchdown run in the divisional round last season after a wild-card victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

It’s a business trip to Brazil for both teams with no time for sightseeing. The Eagles planned to arrive Wednesday night after a 10-hour flight, hold a walk-through at Corinthians Arena on Thursday, and fly straight back to Philadelphia after Friday night’s game.

“We’re professionals,” Eagles receiver A.J. Brown said. “We’re down there to win a football game. We’re not down there to see the city, do all this other stuff. This is not a vacation. This is a football game.”

The Packers arranged a 10-hour direct flight leaving from Green Bay on Wednesday morning and, as the “visiting” team, they will hold their walk-through Thursday at the Corinthians soccer club’s training ground.

“It’s not going to be anything crazy that we’ve never done before, and I would expect the same from Philly,” LaFleur said. “… I’ve only talked to our guys about the Philadelphia Eagles, and what we need to do.”

The quick turnaround time may be disruptive, but it also gives NFL officials and players who are concerned about security some peace of mind.

“I do not want to go to Brazil,” Eagles cornerback Darius Slay said on his “Big Play Slay” podcast this week. “They already told us not to leave the hotel. They told us we can’t do too much because the crime rate is crazy. NFL, why do you want to send us somewhere where the crime rate is so high?”

A massive mural of starting quarterbacks Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Jordan Love of the Packers adorns the side of a building in downtown Sao Paulo, but the spotlight in the stadium will be on the running backs.

Saquon Barkley, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, joined Philadelphia after six seasons and more than 5,000 rushing yards with the division-rival New York Giants.

Josh Jacobs, the 2022 NFL rushing leader and also a two-time Pro Bowl pick, signed with Green Bay after five seasons and more than 5,500 rushing yards with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders.

“I’m just trying to not let it be me, the guy who messes it up,” Jacobs said. “That’s my biggest thing going into Game 1 is just trying to be very disciplined in my keys, and try to put my little spin on it when I get a chance.”

On the injury front, Eagles linebacker Devin White (ankle) will miss Friday’s game, and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (hand) had limited participation in practice on Wednesday.

Rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) did not participate in practice for the Packers on Tuesday. On limited duties were linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hip), receiver Romeo Doubs (hand), running back Emanuel Wilson (hip), and cornerback Carrington Valentine (hamstring).

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders star RB Josh Jacobs not holding grudges after pay dispute

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NFL rushing champion Josh Jacobs said Wednesday he harbors no hard feelings against the Las Vegas Raiders after his well-publicized contract dispute.

Jacobs declined to sign the $10.091 million franchise tag and held out from training camp in hopes of landing a long-term deal. The two sides eventually reached agreement on Saturday on a one-year, $12 million deal plus incentives.

“We made it happen, so it ain’t no hard feelings now,” Jacobs told reporters on a conference call Wednesday. “It’s a clean slate with me. It was never … no hate on each side. I understood it, but at the same time I understood my value, too. So it was just about meeting in the middle.”

Running back salaries have been an issue throughout the NFL and Jacobs decided to hold his ground after a standout 2022 season.

Jacobs, 25, compiled 1,653 rushing yards on 340 touches (4.9 yards per attempt) and 12 touchdowns while starting all 17 games last season. He added 400 receiving yards to lead the league with 2,053 total yards from scrimmage.

Jacobs was a first-team All-Pro and received his second Pro Bowl nod.

Jacobs is currently on the roster exemption/commissioner permission list, but the expectation is that he will be available to play in the season opener against the host Denver Broncos on Sept. 10.

He said he isn’t sure yet how big of a workload he can handle against Denver.

“Physically, I ain’t missed a step,” Jacobs said. “I didn’t have no errors (in practice). I came in and it didn’t feel like I missed a step.”

Jacobs said he kept in shape by working out with his former high school football team (McLain High) in Tulsa, Okla. But he missed being around his Las Vegas teammates.

“You want to grind with your guys, especially knowing there’s a lot of new guys coming in,” Jacobs said. “You want the guys to know who you are and respect what you do, respect your work. That was just the biggest thing, not being able to have that camaraderie.

“But I wouldn’t say they was just all negative, you know? Being at home allowed me to spend a lot more time with my kids and help my dad do his diet plans and get in shape and things like that. So, I mean, it was pros and cons on both sides, but at the end of the day, I wanted to play football. I wanted to be here with the guys. So, I’m just glad it worked out.”

In 60 games (59 starts) since the Raiders selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Alabama, Jacobs has rushed for 4,740 yards and 40 touchdowns. He has topped 1,000 rushing yards in three of his four NFL seasons.

Jacobs is just the second Raiders running back to lead the league in rushing since the NFL merger in 1970. Marcus Allen accomplished the feat in 1985 when the team was in Los Angeles, and Clem Daniels led the former American Football League in 1963 when the franchise was located in Oakland.

–Field Level Media

January 1, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Raiders RB Josh Jacobs ending holdout soon

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is nearing the end of his holdout, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

The reigning NFL rushing champion is expected to report before the Sept. 10 opener at Denver, but the exact timing of his return is unclear.

Jacobs, 25, has been away from the team this offseason while seeking a long-term contract.

He has not signed the franchise tag tender that would pay him $10.091 million for the 2023 season.

Head coach Josh McDaniels told reporters Sunday that he hopes Jacobs will get some practice time in before Week 1.

“I think that it’s important for every player,” McDaniels said. “This is the National Football League, so it’s not easy to go out there and just play games and do it at the speed and level that you want to do it at, unless you’ve really kind of had enough opportunity to get yourself ready to do that.”

Jacobs compiled a league-high 1,653 rushing yards on 340 touches (4.9 yards per attempt) and 12 touchdowns while starting all 17 games last season. He added 400 receiving yards to lead the league with 2,053 total yards from scrimmage. He was a first-team All-Pro and received his second Pro Bowl nod.

In 60 games (59 starts) since the Raiders selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Alabama, Jacobs has rushed for 4,740 yards and 40 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders coach Josh McDaniels respects Josh Jacobs’ holdout

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With star running back Josh Jacobs in the early stages of his holdout, Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said he respects the decision of the NFL rushing champion not to report to training camp.

Jacobs and the Raiders were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term contract before last week’s deadline for franchise-tagged players. He then decided not to sign his $10.091 million franchise tender for the 2023 season.

“Obviously I can’t speak for anything that happened in the meeting,” McDaniels said regarding negotiations between Jacobs’ agent and the team. “Obviously I wasn’t privy to any of that. But, look, I respect every player’s right to do what’s right for them. That’s why the league is what it is in terms of value and contracts. And those things are personal. We all have to go through them.

“I’ve said it multiple times this spring, I respect him tremendously. I have a great deal of respect for him as a player and a person. What he did for our team last year — and I look forward to seeing him whenever he is here. And I respect that process too. It’s his decision to make. They all have to do what they think is best for them.”

Jacobs compiled 1,653 rushing yards on 340 touches (4.9 yards per attempt) and 12 touchdowns while starting all 17 games last season. He added 400 receiving yards to lead the league with 2,053 total yards from scrimmage.

Jacobs, 25, was a first-team All-Pro and received his second Pro Bowl nod.

That’s a lot of production not in training camp, and McDaniels said he is fine with waiting for the process to play itself out.

“I respect his decision to ultimately not sign a deal at that point,” McDaniels said. “So, right now, I mean, it is what it is. There hasn’t been much since the deadline. Certain things can change, we know that, but certainly that’s a lot of his decision. And whatever he chooses to do that’s his choice. I look forward to seeing him when we see him.”

If Jacobs accepted the tender, he would make the ninth-most money among the 2023 Raiders.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley was upset with his situation, as well, but relented Tuesday and signed a one-year deal with incentives that could be worth $11 million.

McDaniels was asked if the Barkley deal might sway Jacobs.

“I don’t know all the details,” McDaniels said of Barkley’s signing. “I was here doing a bunch of stuff so I’m not exactly sure of the ins and outs on that. But anything can certainly change in that regard.”

In 60 games (59 starts) since the Raiders selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Alabama, Jacobs has rushed for 4,740 yards and 40 touchdowns.

Without Jacobs, the Las Vegas ball-carriers include journeymen Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden.

McDaniels also touched on team’s addition of cornerback Marcus Peters, a three-time Pro Bowler who has played for three other teams.

“It’s an exciting opportunity,” McDaniels said. “Marcus has been a very decorated player for the entirety of his career for the teams that he’s played for. I’ve coached against him a number of times and when you’re playing against him, always know where he’s at because there’s a chance you might not want to throw at him.

–Field Level Media

Jan 21, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) looks for room to run against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Chubb on RB pay: ‘There’s really nothing we can do’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A group of top NFL running backs met via Zoom to discuss the salaries being paid at the position, and Cleveland Browns star Nick Chubb had a sobering message for his fellow running backs.

“Right now, there’s really nothing we can do,” Chubb told ESPN on Sunday.

Chubb confirmed to the outlet that he was among the players to take part in the videoconference on Saturday, which Pro Football Talk reported was the brainchild of Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers. Chubb said Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley were among the running backs who joined in.

The meeting came on the heels of Barkley (New York Giants), Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas Raiders) and Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys) all being unable to reach multi-year contracts ahead of the deadline for franchise-tagged players.

ESPN said the running backs brainstormed ideas but did not come up with any plans to address ways to boost their pay.

“We’re kind of handcuffed with the situation. We’re the only position that our production hurts us the most,” Chubb said, per ESPN. “If we go out there and run 2,000 yards with so many carries, the next year they’re going to say, you’re probably worn down. It’s tough. … It hurts us at the end of the day.”

Barkley and Jacobs both were franchise tagged by their teams but have not signed their franchise tenders, worth $10.09 million for the 2023 season. Pollard signed his tag and is expected to report to training camp. Barkley and Jacobs are not, per ESPN.

The average salary for an NFL running back is $1.76 million, which is about $1 million less than the average for a player on offense, according to Spotrac. The average salary for a left tackle is $8.95 million, by contrast.

McCaffrey is playing on a four-year, $64 million contract extension signed with the Carolina Panthers — the highest annual average pay at the position.

“This is Criminal,” McCaffrey tweeted about the contract situations facing Barkley, Jacobs and Pollard. “Three of the best PLAYERS in the entire league, regardless of position.”

Chubb agreed.

“We’re definitely in a tough situation, running backs as a whole,” he said. “Saquon’s a great player and you can ask anyone around the league or even on the Giants how much he means to that team. So it’s hard seeing him not get what he deserves.”

–Field Level Media

Jun 13, 2023; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) during minicamp at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Top RBs plan Zoom call to discuss depressed market

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Chargers star running back Austin Ekeler has organized a online video call on Saturday night with several of his peers to discuss the depressed market at their position, Pro Football Talk reported.

Per the report, all of the high-profile running backs have been invited to the conversation on the Zoom platform. The NFL Players Association also will take part in some capacity.

The reported call comes on the heels of star running backs Saquon Barkley (New York Giants), Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas Raiders) and Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys) all unable to reach multi-year contracts ahead of the deadline for franchise-tagged players.

That brought about very vocal responses over social media from fellow running backs Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts), Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans), Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers) and Najee Harris (Pittsburgh Steelers), among others.

Ekeler, himself, also was unable to receive a long-term contract and is heading into the final season of a four-year, $24.5-million deal with the Chargers.

–Field Level Media