NFL places Jonathon Cooper on commissioner's exempt list
14 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 10:11 PM
Last updated Aug 31, 2026
The NFL placed Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper on the commissioner's exempt list as he faces felony assault charges. Under the terms of the designation, Cooper will continue to receive his salary but is barred from practicing or appearing in games. He remains permitted to participate in team meetings and use club facilities. This status ensures Cooper does not count against the team's 53-man active roster limit while his legal proceedings remain active. Cooper, who is expected to plead not guilty to five charges this coming Monday following two arrests earlier this summer, is not currently facing a league-mandated suspension. The Denver Broncos are expected to proceed into the regular season with a depth chart featuring Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss, Que Robinson, and Dondrea Tillman at the outside linebacker position.
- •Jonathon Cooper will not count against the 53-man active roster limit.
- •The commissioner's exempt list status allows for continued pay but prohibits game participation.
- •Cooper faces five felony assault charges stemming from two arrests earlier this summer.
- •A not guilty plea is expected from the player this Monday.
- 10:11 PMYahoo Sports — Broncos LB Jonathon Cooper pleads not guilty to assault, trial set for November
- 9:15 PMESPN — Broncos OLB Cooper pleads not guilty to charges
- 2:26 PMYahoo Sports — Jonah Elliss and Que Robinson will step into big roles on the Broncos’ defense
- 8:35 PMYahoo Sports — Broncos’ Jonathon Cooper to start season on commissioner’s exempt list
- 8:10 PMESPN — Sources: Broncos' Cooper placed on exempt list
- 8:06 PMYahoo Sports — Broncos LB Jonathon Cooper on commissioner's exempt list due to multiple arrests for alleged domestic violence incident
- 7:45 PMYahoo Sports — Broncos star lands on Roger Goodell’s exempt list amid string of legal cases
- 7:42 PMYahoo Sports — Broncos' Jonathon Cooper to start season on commissioner's exempt list, AP source says
"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.
"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 […]
"It was announced on Sunday that starting outside linebacker/edge rusher Jonathon Cooper would be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List and be sidelined for the foreseeable future. As we know, he is dealing with a serious legal matter off the field, and this was simply part of the process. General Manager George Paton told reporters […]
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 10:11 PMBroncos LB Jonathon Cooper pleads not guilty to assault, trial set for November
Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper was put on paid leave over the weekend due to his domestic violence arrest this offseason and he was in a Colorado courtroom for a hearing on those charges Monday.
- ESPNAug 31, 2026, 9:15 PMBroncos OLB Cooper pleads not guilty to charges
Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper pleaded not guilty to multiple domestic violence charges Monday in a Douglas County (Colorado) courtroom.
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 2:26 PMJonah Elliss and Que Robinson will step into big roles on the Broncos’ defense
It was announced on Sunday that starting outside linebacker/edge rusher Jonathon Cooper would be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List and be sidelined for the foreseeable future. As we know, he is dealing with a serious legal matter off the field, and this was simply part of the process. General Manager George Paton told reporters […]
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 8:35 PMBroncos’ Jonathon Cooper to start season on commissioner’s exempt list
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 […]
- ESPNAug 30, 2026, 8:10 PMSources: Broncos' Cooper placed on exempt list
The NFL is placing Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper on the commissioner exempt list following a pair of arrests earlier this summer on domestic violence charges.
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 8:06 PMBroncos LB Jonathon Cooper on commissioner's exempt list due to multiple arrests for alleged domestic violence incident
Cooper faces multiple charges for an alleged incident involving his former girlfriend, including a felony assault/strangulation charge.
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 7:45 PMBroncos star lands on Roger Goodell’s exempt list amid string of legal cases
Denver Broncos will begin the regular season without outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper after the NFL placed him on the commissioner’s exempt list. The decision comes after Cooper was involved in two incidents involving his former girlfriend during the summer, resulting in two arrests and five charges.
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 7:42 PMBroncos' Jonathon Cooper to start season on commissioner's exempt list, AP source says
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.
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 7:11 PMBroncos' Jonathon Cooper to be placed on NFL commissioner's exempt list: Reports
Broncos star Jonathon Cooper is being placed on the NFL commissioner's exempt list after a pair of offseason arrests relating to domestic violence.
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 6:46 PMNFL makes initial decision on Broncos OLB Jonathon Cooper
Broncos OLB Jonathon Cooper will not count against the 53-man roster while on the commissioner's exempt list.
- 9News.com KUSAAug 30, 2026, 6:44 PMGoodell places Broncos' Jonathon Cooper on commissioner's exempt list - 9News
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