Josh Jacobs: Numbers, Packers Performance, Fumbles, Bench Situations, and Injury Timeline

Josh Jacobs remains one of the NFL’s most compelling running backs, combining power, vision, and toughness; yet his 2025 season with the Green Bay Packers has been marked by mixed results, ball security questions, health concerns, and fluctuating usage. This article breaks down everything from his statistical production to his career at Green Bay, fumbles, whether he’s been benched, and exactly when he got hurt this season.

1. Who Is Josh Jacobs? NFL Background and Career Overview

Josh Jacobs entered the NFL in the 2019 NFL Draft, selected in the first round by the Oakland Raiders (now the Las Vegas Raiders). A product of Alabama, he quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier running backs with multiple 1,000+ rushing yard seasons and consistently strong touchdown numbers.

In March 2024, Jacobs signed with the Green Bay Packers in a high-profile free-agency move aimed at replacing Aaron Jones as the team’s lead runner. Since joining the Packers, he has delivered power-back production while adapting to a new offense and facing different line play and defensive schemes. 

2. The 2025 Season: Numbers And Packers Performance

2025 Packers Stats (Regular Season)

According to official NFL stats through 14 games:

• Rushing attempts: 230

• Rushing yards: 926

• Yards per carry: 4.0

• Rushing touchdowns: 13

• Longest rush: 40 yards

• Fumbles: 3 total, 2 lost

These numbers reflect a productive scoring presence with over a dozen rushing touchdowns, although Jacobs hasn’t dominated in yardage the way he has in past seasons. 

Career Context

Across his NFL career starting in 2019, Jacobs has:

• Over 7,800 rushing yards

• 74 career rushing touchdowns

• 16 total fumbles with 12 lost

He’s been durable overall historically, and has improved his overall value by being a consistent short-yardage and red-zone weapon. 

3. Fumbles: Has Ball Security Been an Issue?

While all running backs sometimes cough up the football, Jacobs has had some notable moments with it during the 2025 season.

• Through 14 games with the Packers, he had 3 fumbles, which is higher than his typical rate.

• In a recent game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he lost a key fumble late in the fourth quarter that stalled the Packers’ comeback attempt. That fumble occurred at his own 44-yard line and directly hurt Green Bay’s chances to win. 

Historical Perspective

Relative to other NFL runners, Jacobs is not unusually prone to fumbling — over his career his rate is roughly one fumble every 119 touches — which places him near the NFL average among primary backs. However, early in his Packers tenure he had a couple of fumbles in a short span, leading coaches to emphasize fundamentals.

4. Bench Status: Was Jacobs Ever Benched?

There has been speculation among fans about whether Jacobs has been benched due to performance or ball security issues — especially after a fumble. Reddit threads and social commentary speculate on this, but there is no official confirmation that Jacobs was benched purely as a disciplinary decision after a fumble. Rather, comments suggest any reduction in snaps was more likely related to injury management or game plan decisions rather than a straight benching due to performance. 

The Packers coaching staff has at times limited his snaps and rotated in backup RB Emanuel Wilson, not as a traditional benching but as a workload and injury management decision, especially when Jacobs was dealing with knee and ankle tenderness. 

5. Injury Timeline: When Did Josh Jacobs Get Hurt?

Primary 2025 Injury

During a game against the New York Giants on November 16, 2025, Josh Jacobs suffered a knee injury while powering into the end zone on a third-and-goal play. He exited that contest and was later ruled out for the remainder of that game. 

Following that incident:

• He missed multiple practices due to knee swelling and stiffness, even though an MRI did not show structural damage.

• His participation in games was limited or uncertain depending on how the knee responded in any given week.

This timeline suggests the earliest point of significant missed time in 2025 was mid-November after that game.

Other Minor Aches and Cares

Fan reports and Reddit discussions also mention calf or general soreness issues earlier in the season — which is common for high-volume backs — but the primary documented injury impacting availability remains the knee issue. 

6. Impact on Packers Offense and Team Dynamics

Offensive Line Context

Jacobs’ rushing success is tied closely to offensive line play. In 2025, Green Bay’s offensive line has experienced instability and issues opening holes consistently, sometimes leading to tougher sledding for Jacobs. Commentators have noted he was frequently met at the line of scrimmage early in plays.

Backup Running Back Contributions

When Jacobs missed snaps due to injury, Emanuel Wilson stepped up. In Week 12 versus the Vikings, Wilson rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns — showing that Green Bay has viable depth behind Jacobs when needed. 

7. Breakdown by Game Situations and Production

While detailed week-by-week stats vary, Jacobs has produced across different game environments, providing a reliable scoring threat in the red zone and contributing as a pass catcher when needed. Situational stats show he gets a lot of work in standard down and distance carries, and while he doesn’t always break huge runs, he consistently churns out tough yardage. 

8. Fan Reaction & Narrative

Fan reaction is mixed: some praise his grit and toughness, others lament fumbles or limited explosive plays. There continues to be no consensus among the fanbase that he was benched for disciplinary reasons — rather that his usage adjustments are driven by health and game conditions. 

9. Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Jacobs?

As the Packers navigate the 2025 season and eye playoff contention, the continued health and effectiveness of Josh Jacobs will matter greatly. If he stays healthy and continues to find the end zone — especially with improvements in line play — Green Bay’s offense can maintain balance and keep defenses honest.

FAQs: Josh Jacobs 2025 Packers Season

Q1. What are Josh Jacobs’ current rushing statistics with the Packers?

A1. Through 14 games in 2025, Jacobs has roughly 926 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, and 3 fumbles (2 lost) — demonstrating scoring ability and overall solid yardage production. 

Q2. Did Josh Jacobs get benched after a fumble?

A2. There’s no official confirmation that Jacobs was benched due to a fumble. Any reduced snaps seem tied to injury management or rotation decisions, not a disciplinary benching. 

Q3. When did Josh Jacobs get hurt in 2025?

A3. Jacobs suffered a knee injury on November 16, 2025 against the New York Giants, which led to missed practices and limited participation as the Packers managed his workload. 

Q4. How many times has Jacobs fumbled this season?

A4. In 2025, Jacobs has 3 fumbles with 2 being lost — slightly higher than usual for his production rate. 

Q5. Has injuries significantly impacted his performance?

A5. The knee injury and associated stiffness have led to practice absences and workload limitations, which may have affected some of his production and touches week-to-week. 

Q6. Who fills in for Jacobs when he’s limited?

A6. Backup running back Emanuel Wilson stepped in effectively at times, including a breakout performance with 107 rushing yards and two scores vs the Vikings.