DENVER BRONCOS LINEBACKER ARRESTED TWICE IN WEEK ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES

Jonathon Cooper, a linebacker for the Denver Broncos, was arrested on Thursday following an alleged violation of a protection order issued the previous week. The arrest resulted in four new charges against Cooper: two counts of domestic violence, one count of harassment, and one count of violating the protection order. Cooper also faces additional charges including second-degree assault by strangulation and third-degree assault, according to court documents.

Cooper's initial arrest occurred on Thursday of the previous week, when both he and his girlfriend were charged with two counts of domestic violence and one count of misdemeanour criminal mischief. A protection order was subsequently placed against Cooper, prohibiting him from contacting his girlfriend. The original incident stemmed from an argument over cheating accusations, with court documents alleging that Cooper grabbed his girlfriend by the neck, lifted her off the ground, threw her to the ground three times, and bit her mobile phone, causing damage.

The Broncos released a statement expressing disappointment at Cooper's second arrest. Cooper was drafted by Denver in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft and has developed into a regular starter, appearing in every game since the 2023 season and accumulating 31.5 sacks across his career. Head coach Sean Payton previously stated that the team would remain informed of the situation's developments.