Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is on the verge of breaking a long-standing NFL record this week, though it’s a record he’d likely prefer not to break.
If Jacobs catches three passes without scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans, he will set the NFL record for the most receptions in history without a receiving touchdown. Over his five seasons with the Raiders, Jacobs accumulated 46 rushing touchdowns but never found the end zone through the air, despite catching 197 passes.
The current record for most receptions without a touchdown belongs to former NFL running back Gerald Riggs, who caught 201 passes over his 10-year career without a receiving touchdown. Riggs, who played for both Atlanta (1982-88) and Washington (1989-91), set the record in 1987 and added to it over four more seasons. He did, however, cap his career with a Super Bowl win during his final season with Washington.
Aside from Jacobs, the closest anyone has come to breaking Riggs’ record was Eric Bieniemy, who finished his nine-year career with 146 receptions and no touchdowns. Riggs, Bieniemy, and Jacobs are the only players in NFL history to record at least 140 receptions without a touchdown.
Jacobs is closing in on the record this season. After being held without a catch in Green Bay’s Week 1 loss to the Eagles, he rebounded with two catches in Week 2 against the Colts, bringing his career total to 199—just two shy of tying Riggs’ mark and three away from setting the unfortunate record.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love is well aware of Jacobs’ pursuit of the record and has vowed to get him his first receiving touchdown. Love mentioned during the preseason that he wouldn’t let Jacobs break the record and promised to help him reach the end zone. However, Love has been limited in practice this week with an MCL sprain, and if he can’t play, Malik Willis may step in at quarterback.
There’s also a possibility Jacobs could miss Sunday’s game due to a back injury, which would delay his pursuit of the record until at least Week 4. If Love returns by then, he’ll continue his mission to help Jacobs finally score a receiving touchdown.
