Green Bay Packers star Josh Jacobs remains on the NFL's Commissioner Exempt List following his no-contest plea to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property. The charges stem from an incident earlier this offseason involving his then-girlfriend, with a court recently ordering Jacobs to pay restitution to the victim as part of that plea, along with mandatory counseling and a no-contact order.

Now, ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler has revealed that a new legal filing has complicated the NFL’s investigation as the victim’s lawyers filed an eight-page motion seeking to permanently seal evidence in the criminal case, including video of the incident. Fowler called this the central obstacle for the league as the tape is the key piece of evidence the NFL wants access to, and the sealing motion makes it “increasingly harder” for the league to obtain it.

“So, the NFL's investigation is ongoing, but there could be a suspension sooner rather than later. Jacobs remains on the commissioner exempt list. A four-to-six-game suspension could be the range based on a few people I've talked to in the league, but that's obviously fluid and based on the league's findings,” he said.

Barring a formal appeal from one of the legal parties, Fowler's understanding is that the tape should stay sealed. Based on conversations with multiple league sources, Fowler claimed that Jacobs is likely to be suspended for four to six games.

This figure has been described as fluid and is subject to change based on what the league's findings ultimately show. Any time already served on the Commissioner's Exempt List will count toward the eventual suspension length.

On the field, Jacobs' absence has already had a tangible impact. The Packers opened their season with a loss on the road to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, struggling offensively in the second half and getting outscored 22-0 in the fourth quarter.

Green Bay next plays on the road against the New York Jets.