08/30/26 02:43:00
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08/30 14:42 CDT Broncos' Jonathon Cooper to start season on commissioner's
exempt list, AP source says
Broncos' Jonathon Cooper to start season on commissioner's exempt list, AP
source says
By ARNIE STAPLETON
AP Pro Football Writer
A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Sunday
that Denver Bronco s linebacker Jonathon Cooper, who's facing a felony
strangulation charge, will start the season on the commissioner's exempt list.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move wasn't immediately
announced by the team or the NFL ahead of Sunday's roster cutdown deadline.
Cooper faces an arraignment Monday on several domestic violence charges
following two arrests in June stemming from altercations with a woman he was
dating at the time.
Cooper was allowed to participate in training camp and on Friday was one of the
Broncos' captains in their preseason finale, a 34-6 win over the Minnesota
Vikings.
The league is investigating Cooper's situation and the sixth-year pro could
face a lengthy suspension under the NFL's domestic violence policy.
Cooper, who has started 52 consecutive games for the Broncos, is a key member
of a defense that has led the league in sacks each of the past two seasons. He
was told to stay away from the Broncos' mandatory minicamp in June following
his second arrest in a week's span.
Cooper, 28, was originally arrested June 4 by police in Parker along with his
then-girlfriend following an argument and physical confrontation after she
accused him of infidelity, according to a police affidavit. Later that week,
prosecutors dropped charges against her and added charges against Cooper,
including a felony charge of second-degree assault by strangulation, while also
granting her a protection order.
Cooper was later arrested a second time on multiple charges that he violated
the protection order. He was accused of sending 20 messages and making two
unanswered phone calls to his girlfriend before going to her apartment and
knocking on her door, according to the arrest affidavit. He left when she
called 911.
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