Despite legal issues, Jonathon Cooper expected to report to camp

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper is expected to report to training camp today alongside the rest of the team’s veterans, though it remains unclear what his participation level will be.

Cooper is still facing massive legal troubles. The 28-year-old was arrested twice in June, with both incidents involving his girlfriend at the time. He is facing four charges, including a felony count of second-degree assault by strangulation. The remaining charges include third-degree assault, violation of a protection order and harassment, all of which have been consolidated into a single felony domestic violence case in Colorado’s 23rd Judicial District.

An arraignment date has been set for August 31, where Cooper will be given the chance to plead “guilty” or “not guilty” to the charges. That date falls three days after the Broncos’ preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings and two weeks before the regular-season opener at the Kansas City Chiefs.

The initial arrest came on June 5 following an incident at Cooper’s Parker apartment. A forensic examination at Anschutz Medical Center later concluded that Cooper’s girlfriend sustained “strangulation with hypoxia and traumatic brain injury” with “substantial risk of death,” prompting the district attorney to upgrade the charges. Cooper was arrested again on June 12 for allegedly violating a protection order by sending repeated text messages and showing up at the woman’s apartment.

At Broncos minicamp in June, head coach Sean Payton said Cooper needed to take time to “work on himself.” The team excused him from the mandatory sessions. According to 9NEWS’ Mike Klis, Cooper has since completed in-person counseling and a mental health program.

#Broncos OLB Jonathon Cooper is expected to report with the rest of Denver’s veterans today, sources told @denverpost.

Unclear what his participation level will be — HC Sean Payton talks tomorrow — but Cooper is in the building today.

NFL review remains ongoing.

— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) July 28, 2026

As of today, Cooper has not been placed on the NFL’s Commissioner Exempt List, which would require him to remain away from the team while his legal proceedings unfold. Unless the league intervenes, the Ohio State product has a path to remaining in his starting role.

Per the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy, first-time domestic violence offenses carry a minimum suspension of six games without pay, a penalty that could arrive regardless of how the legal case resolves.

For now, Cooper reports to camp with his future in Denver hanging in the balance, with his legal situation potentially stretching into 2027.

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