The NFL removed Denver Broncos pass rusher Jonathon Cooper from the commissioner’s exempt list on Friday, clearing him to play in Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 25, per NFL.com. Cooper was originally placed on the list on Aug. 30.
The Main Development
Cooper was arrested in Colorado in June for domestic violence and criminal mischief following an argument with his girlfriend. He was charged with felony second-degree assault by strangulation and pleaded not guilty on June 9. On June 12, he was arrested again for violating a protection order through repeated phone calls, per NFL.com.
Cooper was barred from practicing or attending team games while on the exempt list. The NFL’s review of his legal situation remains ongoing.
Legal Timeline Still Unresolved
Cooper’s trial is scheduled for March, with a pretrial hearing set for Feb. 19. His removal from the exempt list does not resolve his pending criminal case.
What It Means For Denver
Denver improved to 4-2 after defeating Seattle on Thursday Night Football. Cooper’s return provides the Broncos a pass rusher option at an edge position heading into the second half of the season.
What’s Next
Denver hosts Arizona on Oct. 25. The NFL’s review of Cooper’s legal case continues, and his status remains subject to potential further action before his pretrial hearing in February and trial in March.
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