Three NFL Players Added to Commissioner’s Exempt List Ahead of 2026 Season

Three NFL players were placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List on Sunday as the 2026 season approaches. The players include Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper, and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Terrion Arnold. This development will impact the start of their seasons.

According to the NFL rulebook, the Commissioner’s Exempt List provides a special player status for clubs only in unusual situations. Players placed on this list are temporarily exempt from counting within the Active List limit. Only the Commissioner can place a player on the list and determine the duration of their time on it.

Player Legal Troubles

Josh Jacobs was charged with battery and criminal damage to property following a domestic incident near his Green Bay home earlier this year. If convicted of these misdemeanor charges, he may face up to $20,000 in fines or 18 months in prison.

Jonathon Cooper was arrested in June for allegedly violating a protection order related to a previous domestic violence arrest. Terrion Arnold was arrested on charges of kidnapping and armed robbery in June. After his arrest, the Detroit Lions released him, but he joined an NFL camp with the Seahawks.

Possible Upcoming NFL Disciplinary Actions

The seriousness of allegations against Jacobs, Cooper, and Arnold led to their placement on the list. Yet, other players with legal issues could also face disciplinary measures. Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice spent 30 days in jail in the spring for violating his probation from a 2025 plea agreement.

Los Angeles Rams’ Puka Nacua might face discipline. He was accused of biting a woman in March and entered rehab afterward. Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman is also dealing with domestic violence charges from a June incident. The NFL may announce disciplinary actions soon affecting the 2026 season for Nacua, Bateman, and Rice.