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Concerning Josh Jacobs Update Emerges Before Packers-Cardinals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Oct 19, 2025 7:01 AM ET

Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacobs is questionable for Sunday due to a calf strain and illness.
He has been crucial for the Packers, with 359 rushing yards and six touchdowns this season.
The Packers have yet to decide on his status ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Josh Jacobs has been a crucial piece for the Green Bay Packers and their 3-1-1 start to the NFL season. The All-Pro running back has started all five games for the Packers thus far, registering 98 carries for 359 yards and six touchdowns. The 27-year-old also already has 15 catches early on for 176 yards.

Jacobs, however, has been dealing with multiple injuries heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The former Alabama Crimson Tide star has a calf strain and is also nursing an illness, which led to his limited participation in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Jacobs was able to practice in full on Friday but has been officially listed as questionable to play against the Cardinals.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) is dealing with an illness and a calf strain.Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Jacobs is currently on the second season of his four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers, which he signed in free agency in 2024 after playing the first five years of his career with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders.

Jacobs earned a Pro Bowl nod — his third in his career — in his debut season with the Packers last season when he amassed 301 carries for 1,329 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. Jacobs also caught 36 passes for 342 yards and one receiving TD.

Jacobs, however, is now in real danger of missing his first game of the season. This would potentially be the first time he sits out for the Packers as well after playing all 17 games in 2024.

According to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, Jacobs is considered a true game-time decision.

“#Packers standout RB Josh Jacobs, dealing with an illness and a calf strain, is up in the air regarding his status on Sunday, per me and @TomPelissero. Whether he plays will be determined pre-game,” reported Rapoport on X.

The silver lining here is that there’s still a good chance Jacobs is able to take the field against Arizona. The Packers seem intent on making this decision closer to kickoff, depending on how Jacobs is feeling at that point.

Losing Jacobs, the team's leading rusher on the season, will be a significant blow to Green Bay’s running game. This would potentially add more pressure on Jordan Love, and could make the Packers’ offense more predictable.

It’s the Cardinals who host Sunday’s Week 7 matchup at State Farm Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled at 4:25 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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