Broncos LB Cooper pleads not guilty; trial set

Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper pleaded not guilty in Douglas County to multiple domestic-violence charges stemming from two June incidents, with a jury trial set for November 10 and a pretrial hearing on October 30. The case includes one felony count of second-degree assault by strangulation and several misdemeanors, and the NFL has placed him on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, allowing pay and team access but barring practices and games while the league reviews potential discipline. Cooper’s legal proceedings follow an alleged June confrontation with his ex-girlfriend and a separate alleged violation of a protective order, with prosecutors describing injuries that included choking. The Broncos have supported him during the process and have kept him on paid leave, with general manager George Paton stressing the seriousness of the situation and ongoing monitoring. Despite the off-field turmoil, Cooper remains a key defender who has started 52 consecutive games, and the team faces questions about the impact on its postseason aspirations and his future status in the NFL. The league’s investigation could result in a substantial suspension, with missed games counting against it and potential repayment of earnings while sidelined.