Overview
- Jonathon Cooper was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List on Sunday and is on paid administrative leave; he may attend team meetings and work out but cannot practice or play and does not count toward the 53-man roster.
- Cooper faces five charges stemming from two arrests this summer and has an arraignment scheduled for Monday, August 31, where he is expected to plead not guilty.
- The Exempt List is a special NFL status used in unusual circumstances to remove a player from the active roster while investigations or legal matters proceed, and only the commissioner can place a player on it.
- With Cooper sidelined, the Broncos are expected to carry Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss, Que Robinson and Dondrea Tillman among their active edge rushers as they finalize the 53-man roster.
- Other players with pending legal issues — including Terrion Arnold and Josh Jacobs — have been reported as candidates for paid leave, and any formal charges or league findings could lead to further discipline that may take months to resolve.