Denver Broncos Linebacker Jonathon Cooper Arrested Again

A Denver Broncos player faced another legal issue as linebacker Jonathon Cooper was taken into custody for the second time in a week. Authorities arrested Cooper on Thursday night in connection with violating a protection order issued following a previous domestic violence incident.

Last week, Cooper and his girlfriend ended up in jail on charges of domestic violence and criminal mischief, as documented by Douglas County jail records. The situation worsened with additional accusations, including felony strangulation, according to court filings cited by the New York Post.

The Broncos released a statement expressing their disappointment over Cooper’s Thursday arrest. The team is currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The couple, involved sporadically over several years, encountered a confrontation at Cooper’s home. The altercation reportedly began when the woman questioned him about alleged cheating. The situation escalated when she threw Cooper’s phone against a wall and attempted to access it, as reported by TMZ based on the arrest affidavit.

An ensuing physical struggle resulted in Cooper retrieving his phone, demanding the woman leave, and threatening to damage her device. The affidavit indicated he broke the screen on her iPhone after she refused to leave.

Cooper, 28, entered a plea of not guilty on Monday. He has remained with the Broncos since his selection from Ohio State in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. Throughout five seasons, he has been a vital part of the team’s defense, playing in 81 games and achieving significant statistics, including 266 tackles and 31.5 sacks. The Broncos extended his contract in November 2024 with a four-year, $60 million deal.

This arrest follows last week’s incident where he and his girlfriend were both taken in, and underscores ongoing legal troubles for the athlete. The player contributed significantly to the team last season with 50 tackles and eight sacks.