NFL places Jonathon Cooper on commissioner exempt list following criminal charges
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 12:31 PM
Last updated Sep 2, 2026
The NFL placed Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper on the commissioner exempt list Sunday, following his recent legal issues. Cooper faces five charges in Douglas County, including second-degree felony assault by strangulation and criminal mischief, stemming from two incidents involving his then-girlfriend this summer. He pleaded not guilty to all charges on Monday, with a jury trial scheduled for November 10. While on the exempt list, Cooper is barred from practicing or playing, though he remains eligible to attend team meetings and use facility resources. The move occurred before the league’s 4 p.m. roster cutdown deadline, allowing Denver to maintain its current roster without making additional cuts. The Broncos have adjusted their depth chart, moving Jonah Elliss into a starting role opposite Nik Bonitto, with Dondrea Tillman and Que Robinson expected to handle increased rotational duties.
- •Jonathon Cooper faces five charges including second-degree felony assault by strangulation.
- •The NFL commissioner exempt list prohibits Cooper from playing or practicing with the team.
- •A jury trial for Cooper is scheduled to begin November 10 in Douglas County.
- •The Broncos promoted Jonah Elliss to the starting lineup alongside Nik Bonitto.
- •The team waived Dasan McCullough and Ron Stone Jr. during final roster moves.
- 12:31 PMYahoo Sports — Broncos still like their OLB depth even without Jonathon Cooper
- 1:00 PMYahoo Sports — The Broncos’ Edge Depth Will Be Tested Early on in 2026
"Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper was the only defensive starter to see action in Friday’s preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings. He played the first two series and finished with nine snaps in a 34-6 win while nearly every other expected contributor sat out. Head coach Sean Payton said the decision was tied in […] The post The Broncos’ Edge Depth Will Be Tested Early on in 2026 appeared first on The Lead.
"Even without Jonathon Cooper, the Denver Broncos still have strong depth at outside linebacker.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 12:31 PMBroncos still like their OLB depth even without Jonathon Cooper
Even without Jonathon Cooper, the Denver Broncos still have strong depth at outside linebacker.
- Yahoo SportsSep 1, 2026, 1:00 PMThe Broncos’ Edge Depth Will Be Tested Early on in 2026
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper was the only defensive starter to see action in Friday’s preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings. He played the first two series and finished with nine snaps in a 34-6 win while nearly every other expected contributor sat out. Head coach Sean Payton said the decision was tied in […] The post The Broncos’ Edge Depth Will Be Tested Early on in 2026 appeared first on The Lead.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NFL•Oct 20, 2026, 10:59 PM5 things to know about new Rams kicker Brandon McManus
NFL•Oct 20, 2026, 9:37 PMMike Macdonald calls Zach Charbonnet's return this week "a possibility"
NFL•Oct 20, 2026, 7:14 PMColin Cowherd's current top 10 NFL teams might be the worst thing we've ever seen
NFL•Oct 20, 2026, 6:31 PMJustin Boone's Week 7 Fantasy Football Full PPR WR Rankings
NFL•Oct 20, 2026, 2:49 PMNFL power rankings Week 7: Bills won again but was it enough to impress?
NFL•Oct 20, 2026, 1:55 PMNFL power rankings entering Week 7: All 32 teams ranked worst to first