Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper is set to start the new NFL season on the commissioner’s exempt list, sidelined due to multiple arrests related to an alleged domestic violence incident. This isn’t just a minor setback either; his placement means Cooper won’t be allowed to practice or even play while he’s on that list, though he can still attend team meetings. And get this: he won’t count against Denver’s 53-man roster, which is a big deal for them, but for Cooper? His entire season hangs in the balance, with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell holding all the cards on how long he stays sidelined.
The Tumultuous June Incident That Blew Up
This whole situation really kicked off with a wild week back in June. Cooper was arrested twice in seven days! The first time was June 4, when both Cooper and his long-term girlfriend were arrested and charged with criminal mischief as a crime of domestic violence. While the charge against his girlfriend was later dropped, the details cited in court and local Denver reports are seriously intense. The alleged incident happened during an argument where Cooper’s girlfriend reportedly accused him of cheating. She said she threw his phone and then went to get it to look through it. Cooper’s account to police was that he grabbed her upper arm, took the phone back, and “braced his neck against her neck.” He even admitted threatening to break her phone if she didn’t leave, and then actually *bit* her phone when she didn’t! His girlfriend’s story was even more alarming, claiming he “grabbed her by the neck,” held her against the wall, picked her up, threw her down several times, and punched the wall “next to her face.” However, officers at the scene noted her injuries didn’t seem consistent with being lifted by her throat or repeatedly thrown.
Protective Orders Violated and Felony Charges Added
Things got even worse after that first arrest. Cooper pleaded not guilty and was placed under a protection order, explicitly telling him not to “harass, molest, intimidate, retaliate against or tamper” with his girlfriend. But prosecutors say he allegedly blew right past that order, reportedly sending her multiple text messages and even showing up at her home. That led to his second arrest on June 11, where he faced four new charges: felony second-degree assault , strangulation, third-degree assault , knowingly or recklessly causing injury, violating a protective order, and harassment via repeated telephone calls. The felony assault charge? That came after a medical examination confirmed his girlfriend suffered “serious bodily injury,” with a nurse’s report describing injuries consistent with “strangulation with hypoxia.” It’s heavy stuff. The Broncos had already excused Cooper from mandatory minicamp, signaling serious concerns long before this commissioner’s list hit.
So, what’s next for Cooper? He’s got an arraignment hearing in Douglas County courtroom coming up this Monday where he’s expected to enter a plea to these charges. Meanwhile, the NFL has its own investigation churning away. This isn’t just about football anymore; it’s about serious legal trouble and a career hanging by a thread before the regular season even really kicks off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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