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Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper will start the 2024 season on the commissioner’s exempt list, according to a person with direct knowledge of the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday. The NFL and team had not publicly announced the placement ahead of the roster cutdown deadline that same day.
Cooper is currently facing multiple domestic violence charges, including a felony count of second-degree assault by strangulation. He is scheduled for arraignment Monday in connection with two arrests that occurred in June following separate incidents involving a woman he was dating at the time.
The 28-year-old linebacker participated fully in training camp and served as one of the Broncos’ defensive captains during Friday’s preseason finale, a 34-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Despite the criminal allegations, he had been permitted to continue his preparations for the regular season.
Cooper was instructed to stay away from the team’s mandatory minicamp in June following his second arrest within a week. He was initially taken into custody on June 4 in Parker after a physical altercation with his girlfriend, but prosecutors later dropped charges against her and pursued charges against Cooper instead.
A second arrest followed when Cooper allegedly violated a protection order by sending 20 text messages and making two phone calls to the woman before appearing at her apartment. Police records indicate he departed when she contacted emergency services.
The six-year veteran has started 52 consecutive games for Denver and represents a crucial defensive asset for a team that has led the NFL in sacks for each of the past two seasons. The league is investigating the matter, and Cooper could face a substantial suspension under the NFL’s domestic violence policy.
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