Sources: Pack deal for Johnson amid Jacobs case

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  Rob DemovskyAug 30, 2026, 02:07 PM ET

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  Rob Demovsky is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Green Bay Packers. He has covered the Packers since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2013. Demovsky is a two-time Wisconsin Sportswriter of the Year as selected by the NSSA.

The Green Bay Packers added some depth at running back by trading for former third-round pick Kaleb Johnson on Sunday ahead of final roster cuts, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Johnson at No. 83 overall in the 2025 draft, but the Iowa product rushed for only 69 yards on 28 carries in 10 games as a rookie.

Trade compensation terms were not immediately available.

The Packers may need running back help if they lose starter Josh Jacobs to an NFL suspension. Jacobs was charged Thursday with battery and criminal damage to property -- both misdemeanors -- stemming from his May arrest after an alleged incident with a woman at his home near Green Bay.

Jacobs has an initial court appearance scheduled for Nov. 17, but the NFL is under no obligation to wait for legal proceedings before imposing any league discipline. An NFL spokesman said the matter remains under review.

Behind Jacobs, the Packers have MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks. The Packers are optimistic that Lloyd can finally contribute after injuries ruined his first two NFL seasons. The former third-round pick has played in just one game since being drafted in 2024. Brooks has been a third-down, blocking back and is also expected to make the team. The trade for Johnson means that despite a strong preseason, Pierre Strong Jr. will not make the Packers' 53-man roster.

Johnson never found his footing in Pittsburgh. His most notable moment was a special teams gaffe when he let a live ball bounce past him on kickoff. Instead of recovering the ball, which landed in the landing zone, Johnson let the ball bounce into the end zone where Seattle recovered it for a touchdown in the Seahawks' Week 2 win.

From there, Johnson lost his spot as a returner, and he played just 62 snaps the rest of the season.

Despite a fresh start with a new coaching staff, Johnson didn't make much headway in the offseason. Not only did he have Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle solidly ahead of him on the depth chart, but former UDFA Lew Nichols often got snaps ahead of Johnson in camp, too. The Steelers also added running back Travis Homer, a special teams ace, to the position in the offseason, too.