According to The Denver Post’s Broncos insider Luca Evans, Denver Broncos edge rusher Jonathon Cooper is facing additional charges of felony second-degree assault by strangulation and misdemeanor third-degree assault.
As we know, Cooper was arrested last week after a domestic incident with his girlfriend and initially faced a charge of misdemeanor criminal mischief. Now, he is facing additional charges that include felony second-degree assault by strangulation. Reports state that he pleaded not guilty in court on Monday and has a trial date in late July.
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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton was asked on Thursday if he believes the league will be involved in this matter. Payton told reporters that he had a long visit with Cooper and now they’re waiting for the process to play out. He added that the league will be very much involved in this process and they will wait and see what happens.
“I think this: I think the league has done a good job of kind of coming in and really taking over that responsibility. We had a long visit with ‘Coop’ (OLB Jonathon Cooper), and now the process plays out. The league obviously will be very much involved in that. We’ll stay abreast, but much like you all. I think that’s where it’s at. We just go from there.”
When asked if Payton has addressed the team about Cooper’s situation yet, he told reporters that he has not done that yet, but there will be a time next week during the minicamp meetings that it will be covered.
“I haven’t. My instincts told me not to right away. This time next week, we have three days of mini camp. We’ll have a number of speakers. I think there will be a time though to talk about it.”
I am no legal expert and just a Broncos fan who writes about football, but these additional charges are not a good look for Cooper. We will see what will come from these additional charges and if the league will step in with its own punishment and possible suspension.
Cooper was at the Broncos OTA practices this past week, so we will see if he’ll be in attendance for the Broncos mandatory minicamp practices next week. If he were to miss practice time, or even games, the Broncos are in a good position at the edge rusher position. Jonah Elliss and Dondrea Tillman have played well in a reserve role, and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph told reporters that Que Robinson looked like a future starter during his rookie season last year.
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For now, we wait and see what comes from Cooper facing additional charges, including a felony second-degree assault by strangulation.
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