Broncos' Cooper pleads not guilty to domestic violence charges

DENVER — Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper pleaded not guilty Monday in a Douglas County courtroom to charges stemming from altercations with his now-ex-girlfriend in June. A jury trial has been scheduled to begin on Nov. 10, according to multiple reports.

Cooper, 28, faces a felony charge of second-degree assault by strangulation, along with misdemeanor charges including violating a protection order, harassment, and criminal mischief, as detailed in various reports. The charges stem from two arrests in June.

Cooper was arrested on June 4 following an argument and physical confrontation with his then-girlfriend, which resulted in a felony assault charge of strangulation, according to an arrest affidavit cited by the Associated Press. He was arrested again a week later after allegedly violating a protection order by trying to contact the woman, the affidavit states.

According to KRDO, citing an arrest affidavit obtained by 9News, the incident originated from cheating allegations. The affidavit claimed Cooper grabbed the woman's arm, took back his phone, and at one point "braced his neck against [her] neck to prevent her from getting his phone." The woman was also charged with criminal mischief, but the charges against her were dropped in July, KRDO reported.

Additional charges were filed after investigators obtained medical records indicating the woman suffered "serious bodily injury," according to KRDO. TSN reported that the felony charge stems from the first arrest after a forensic examination of Cooper's girlfriend by a nurse. The nurse wrote that the woman experienced a physical injury from being choked that led to a "substantial risk of death" or substantial risk of injury, including the possibility of traumatic brain injury.

A pretrial hearing is set for Oct. 30, according to TSN. KRDO reported the trial is scheduled for Nov. 10-13 with a break on Nov. 11 for Veterans' Day.

NFL commissioner exempt list

Cooper was placed on the NFL's commissioner exempt list on Sunday, which prohibits him from practicing or playing in games while he is on the list, according to multiple reports. The list is designed to remove a player from participation while the league reviews potential violations of its personal conduct policy, as reported by TSN.

While on the exempt list, Cooper will be paid and can attend meetings, receive medical treatment, and work out in the team complex, but he cannot participate in team activities, according to reports. He could still face a league suspension, as reported by both the Associated Press and TSN.

The league is investigating Cooper's situation, and he could face a lengthy suspension under the NFL's domestic violence policy, according to the Associated Press. Any games missed while on the exempt list would count toward a suspension, but Cooper would have to repay the money earned while on the list, the report added.

Denver Broncos general manager George Paton said in a conference call Sunday night, after the team's 53-man roster was set: "We continue to take this very seriously. We're going to monitor all the legal developments and continue to support Jonathon. Jonathon's worked very hard to better himself and it'll be good to have him in the building, be in meetings and just be a part of the team."

Team context

Cooper practiced throughout training camp and was one of the few veteran players who played in Friday night's preseason finale, according to TSN. He played eight defensive snaps in Denver's 34-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings and was one of the Broncos' captains in that game, as reported by the Associated Press.

Cooper has started every game in each of the past three seasons, according to TSN, and has started 52 consecutive games for the Broncos, the Associated Press reported. He is due $12 million this season and the Broncos decided not to release him, according to the Associated Press. Cooper attended an inpatient clinic near Vail for more than a month before being allowed to participate in training camp, the report said.

In Cooper's absence, Jonah Elliss, Que Robinson, and Dondrea Tillman are set to expand their workload, according to the Associated Press. The Broncos' defense has led the league in sacks for the past two seasons, the report added.