Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper pleaded not guilty on Monday in Douglas County, Colorado, to multiple charges related to incidents involving his then-girlfriend in June. A jury trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 10, with additional trial dates listed for Nov. 12 and 13. A pretrial hearing is set for Oct. 30.
Cooper faces a felony count of second-degree assault by strangulation along with three misdemeanors, including violating a protection order. He was arrested twice within a seven-day period, on June 4 and June 11. The second arrest followed allegations that he breached a protection order by sending multiple text messages to his girlfriend and going to her home.
The felony assault allegation was added after a forensic medical examination of Cooper’s girlfriend. Her injuries were described as consistent with strangulation and hypoxia and involved a substantial risk of death or injury, including possible traumatic brain injury, according to the nurse’s report included in the police investigation.
Cooper’s placement on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list was announced Sunday. While on the list, he cannot practice or play in games, although he remains eligible to attend team meetings, receive medical treatment and work out at the Broncos’ facility. He will continue receiving his salary and does not count against Denver’s 53-man roster. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell controls how long he remains on the list, while the league’s investigation continues.
The Broncos kept Cooper involved during training camp after he had been away from the team for mandatory minicamp following his second arrest. He participated in all three preseason games and was named a captain for Friday’s preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings. He played eight defensive snaps in Denver’s 34-6 win.
Cooper’s legal situation leaves the Broncos without one of their core defensive starters for the time being. The 2021 seventh-round pick has started 52 consecutive games and started all 17 regular-season contests in each of the past three seasons. He has 31.5 career sacks, including at least eight in each of the previous three seasons and a career-best 10.5 in 2024.
Denver has not released Cooper. He is due $12 million this season, and Jonah Elliss, Que Robinson and Dondrea Tillman are expected to take on larger roles for the Broncos during his absence.
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper pleaded not guilty on Monday in Douglas County, Colorado, to multiple charges related to incidents involving his then-girlfriend in June. A jury trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 10, with additional trial dates listed for Nov. 12 and 13. A pretrial hearing is set for Oct. 30.