The Denver Broncos are continuing their minicamp without the linebacker Jonathon Cooper after he was arrested for the second time last Thursday. It follows an earlier arrest on June 4, tied to a physical altercation involving his girlfriend.

Head Coach Sean Payton spoke about how the team is approaching the whole situation.

“He’s taking this time, obviously,” Payton said on June 12, per the Denver Post. “The club is very much in tune to the league office, local authorities here, and we’ve had several meetings. Clearly, from an ownership standpoint, head coach, organizationally, there’s a bar that we have, and an expectation that we have, that’s very high"

According to the Denver Post, Cooper is not currently around the team facility in any capacity.

Payton also avoided going into details when asked further about internal discussions, keeping the focus on the seriousness of the situation and the ongoing process.

“We all know the logistics,” Payton added. “I don’t think it’s my place to comment any more right now because, obviously, it’s a pretty significant issue.”

The case traces back to a June 4 incident at Cooper's apartment, where an argument led to police involvement, according to arrest affidavits.

Following a medical evaluation, the charges against him were later upgraded. His girlfriend was also arrested that day, but those charges were eventually dismissed.

Cooper now faces several charges in Douglas County District Court, including felony second-degree assault, along with multiple misdemeanours.

The case is currently on track, and motion hearings are set for July 6 and July 14, and the trial is set to begin on July 22, per NFL.com.

Locker Room Supports Jonathon Cooper

According to the Denver Post, Cooper could be facing a six-game suspension if the NFL decides to take action, though the outcome will depend on the league's review.

Even with the uncertainty around his situation, Cooper still has support from inside the Broncos locker room. All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II was among the teammates who spoke up about him this week.

“I mean, he’s our brother at the end of the day, and we all rally behind Coop,” Broncos All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II said on Tuesday. “And we just wish him the best with everything. But, just keeping him in good spirits.”

On the field, Cooper has been a key piece of Denver's defense and a steady presence in the front seven. He remained heavily involved in the rotation throughout last season and played an important role in the team's defensive setup.

The linebacker is still under contract after signing an extension in 2024. As things stand, though, his future status remains unclear while the legal process moves forward.

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Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore