According to 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis, the NFL has removed Denver Broncos edge rusher Jonathon Cooper from the Commissioner’s exempt list. The Broncos veteran starting edge rusher will be eligible to play vs. the Cardinals next week.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Cooper’s trial date was pushed back to March, instead of in November during the season, which opened up the possibility of Cooper being removed from the Commissioner’s Exempt list. The league placed him there before the start of the season due to his ongoing felony assault case, and he was sidelined for 6 weeks before now being removed from this list and being eligible to play starting next week vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
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The NFL released a statement announcing their decision, but also added that the league’s review of the matter remains ongoing and will not be affected by this change to his roster status.
The National Football League today removed Jonathon Cooper of the Denver Broncos from the Commissioner Exempt List. He will be eligible to play in the Broncos’ Week 7 game on Oct. 25 after missing six games.
The NFL initiated an investigation under the Personal Conduct Policy following Cooper’s arrests in June. The league’s review remains ongoing and is not affected by this change to Cooper’s roster status.
Cooper was placed on the Commissioner Exempt List on Aug. 30.
Cooper also released a statement on his personal Instagram account where he stated that over the last several months, he has spent a lot of time working to better himself. He added that work will continue and that playing in the NFL and representing the Denver Broncos is a privilege he does not take for granted.
With Cooper’s trial date now in March during the offseason, it seems like any additional punishment/suspension would come after that is finalized.
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As we know, Cooper was arrested twice this offseason and is facing felony assault charges. The Broncos expressed their disappointment in Cooper, but after he completed a 40-day inpatient counseling, therapy, mental health, and overall wellness program, they backed their team leader. He participated in training camp and the preseason before missing the first six games due to being on the exempt list.
Speaking strictly on the field, this will be a big boost to a Denver Broncos defense that is coming off their best overall performance during their victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. Cooper will provide some veteran leadership and solidify the edge rusher position opposite Nik Bonitto. Jonah Elliss and Que Robinson have played well while he was sidelined, but the addition of Cooper should strengthen the Denver Broncos’ run defense, which has struggled at times this season.
This is still a developing story, but Jonathon Cooper is off the Commissioner’s Exempt List and will be eligible to play vs. the Cardinals in Week 7.
