The 28-year-old athlete was arrested twice within a seven-day period in June following incidents involving his girlfriend. These charges include one felony count of second-degree assault by strangulation, alongside three misdemeanor charges, one of which involves the violation of a protection order. The felony charge is linked to the initial June 4 arrest, supported by a forensic medical examination that indicated the alleged victim suffered physical injuries posing a substantial risk of harm.
NFL Status and Team Response
In light of the ongoing legal situation, the NFL placed Cooper on the commissioner exempt list this past Sunday. Under the terms of this designation, the linebacker is prohibited from participating in team practices or games while the league reviews potential violations of its personal conduct policy. While he remains on the exempt list, Cooper is permitted to receive medical treatment, attend team meetings, and utilize the club's workout facilities, and he will continue to be paid.
Broncos general manager
Cooper, a sixth-year veteran originally selected in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft, has been a consistent presence for the Broncos, starting every game over the past three seasons. He recorded eight sacks during the previous campaign and has accumulated 31.5 sacks across 81 career appearances. Despite the pending charges, Cooper participated in training camp and saw action during the team's preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings, where he played eight defensive snaps.
