NFL clears Broncos' Jonathon Cooper to return from exempt list as domestic violence case and league review continue

What the NFL decided

The NFL on Friday removed Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper from the Commissioner's Exempt List, making him eligible to play for the first time this season, the league announced. The 28-year-old had been on the list, which functions as paid leave, since Aug. 30 and missed Denver's first six games. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

The move does not close the matter. The league said its investigation under the personal conduct policy remains ongoing, according to the Denver Gazette and The Associated Press. Pro Football Talk reported the NFL said it will keep monitoring Cooper's legal case until it is resolved. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Cooper can resume practicing when the team returns from its bye week. Per the NFL transactions wire, as reported by the Denver Gazette, he will not count against the 53-man roster until Oct. 26. ^{[1] [2]}

The criminal case

Cooper was first arrested on June 4 by police in Parker, Colorado, following an argument and physical confrontation with his then-girlfriend, AP reported. Parker police initially held him on suspicion of criminal mischief with a domestic violence enhancer, according to AP. He was arrested again about a week later for allegedly contacting her in violation of a protection order, according to an arrest affidavit cited by AP. ^{[2] [4]}

Prosecutors in Colorado's 23rd Judicial District added charges as the case developed. An initial misdemeanor domestic violence count was followed by felony assault by strangulation and third-degree assault, and the second arrest brought counts of harassment and violation of a protection order, AP reported. ^[4]

Pro Football Talk reported that Cooper faces five charges, the most serious being felony second-degree assault by strangulation, and that he has pleaded not guilty to all of them. The allegations have not been proven in court. ^[3]

Court calendar

A motions hearing scheduled for Monday was continued at the request of the district attorney's office and is now set for Feb. 23, with a jury trial set for the week of March 2, Pro Football Talk reported. AP and the Denver Gazette also reported a March 2 trial start. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Those dates fall after the NFL season ends with Super Bowl LXI on Feb. 14, meaning the criminal case is not expected to be resolved before the season is over. ^[3]

Money and a possible suspension

Six games is the baseline suspension under the league's personal conduct policy for domestic violence violations, the Denver Gazette noted. AP reported that if the league suspends Cooper, his six-game absence would count as time served for up to six games, but he would have to pay back game checks received while on the exempt list. A longer suspension would cost him more games. ^{[1] [2]}

Cooper, who is earning $12 million this season according to AP, collected six weekly game checks of $676,471 while on leave and lost $180,000 in per-game roster bonuses, Pro Football Talk reported. ^{[2] [3]}

Cooper's response and the roster picture

In a social media post, Cooper thanked Broncos ownership, teammates, coaches, Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league, and said he had spent months working on himself. He wrote that "That work will continue," the Denver Gazette reported. ^{[1] [2]}

His return comes as Denver's pass rush took a hit. Outside linebacker Jonah Elliss, who had filled Cooper's role, was hurt in the final minute of Thursday's 17-14 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks, according to the Denver Gazette and AP. The Broncos had not given an update on his condition as of AP's report. ^{[1] [2]}

The 4-2 Broncos are off this weekend and next play at the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 25 at State Farm Stadium, where Cooper could make his season debut. Any NFL discipline would follow the league's own timeline, separate from the court dates in Douglas County. ^{[1] [2]}