Broncos OLB Jonathon Cooper pleads not guilty to five charges, trial dates set

Denver Broncos OLB Jonathon Cooper was back in court on Monday, pleading not guilty to multiple charges against him from two different arrests over the summer.

Cooper was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List on Sunday, so for the time being he’s not on the Broncos’ 53-man roster and can’t practice or play.

According to 9NEWS and 104.3 The Fan Broncos insider Mike Klis, Jonathon Cooper will have a jury trial on Nov. 10, 12 and 13.

#Broncos’ OLB Jonathon Cooper leaves Douglas County conference room with attorney Harvey Steinberg and his mother Jessica Moorman. Cooper pled “not guilty” to all 5 charges against him. Jury by trial Nov 10, 12, 13 in Douglas County Courtroom. Judge Daniel Warhola will preside. pic.twitter.com/y9hvdXhHA8

— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) August 31, 2026

The Broncos play the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 8, their ninth game of the season, then enter the bye week. They’re not due back on the field until Week 11 against the Raiders on Nov. 22.

It’s unclear if the trial was scheduled during Denver’s bye at the request of Cooper’s lawyers, or if that was a coincidence. Cooper is expected to miss 2-6 games being on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, so in theory he could suit up for Denver before the trial occurs.

Jonathon Cooper is facing five charges, including a felony second-degree assault by strangulation. Cooper took part in 40 days of in-patient therapy in June and July prior to reporting for training camp and played in the preseason for Denver — including the finale against the Vikings.

The Broncos will rely on Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss, Que Robinson and Dondrea Tillman to pressure the QB in Cooper’s absence, however long that might be. He could also eventually be suspended by the NFL, with the trial and what other facts come to light potentially having a role in that.

Denver’s leadership, including head coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton, have continued to say the organization takes the charges and allegations “very seriously.”

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