Jonathon Cooper can return to Broncos after NFL removes him from exempt list

Jonathon Cooper is eligible to rejoin the Denver Broncos after the NFL removed the outside linebacker from the commissioner’s exempt list Friday. His first opportunity to play is Denver’s October 25 visit to the Arizona Cardinals, following six games away from the field.

The league’s investigation under its personal conduct policy continues. Cooper’s change in roster status allows him to resume football work while the criminal case and the NFL review proceed, according to the league’s announcement and reporting by ESPN’s Jeff Legwold.

Denver receives a one-week roster exemption, giving Cooper time to practice before the club must add him to its 53-man roster. During his time on the exempt list, he could attend meetings and take part in conditioning and weight-room work, but could not practice or play. That distinction makes the coming practice week his first chance to return to full preparation with the team since the regular season began.

Cooper went on the list August 30 after two arrests in June involving his then-girlfriend. He faces a felony charge of second-degree assault by strangulation and misdemeanor charges. He has pleaded not guilty. The charges remain allegations; Friday’s eligibility decision does not resolve the case.

CBS Colorado reported that the trial, previously scheduled for November, has been moved to March 2. ESPN reported a March 2-4 trial schedule and a February 19 pretrial hearing. The league can still impose discipline under its conduct policy after allowing a player to leave the exempt list.

The return would give Denver an experienced edge defender. Cooper has 31.5 sacks in 81 career games, including eight last season, according to ESPN. He started every game in each of the previous three seasons after joining the Broncos as a seventh-round draft pick from Ohio State in 2021.

His availability comes as the Broncos enter an extended break after Thursday night’s 17-14 overtime win over Seattle. Denver is 4-2 and does not play this weekend. The schedule leaves the club a full preparation week before the Arizona game, along with the roster exemption to assess Cooper’s return to practice.

Cooper said in a Friday statement that he was grateful for the opportunity to return and would continue working on himself. Sean Payton has previously said the Broncos established guidelines for Cooper after the arrests, including therapy, ESPN reported.