Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper is making a court appearance related to his recent domestic violence arrests.
Jonathon Cooper has been out of the news lately, which has been a good thing for both the linebacker and the Denver Broncos. But Cooper has a court appearance today that will bring him back into the spotlight after the brief hiatus just as the Broncos are about to start training camp, according to a report from Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk that referenced Mike Klis of 9News reports.
Cooper will appear virtually along with his attorney, Harvey Steinberg, which is a good thing once again for both Cooper and the Broncos given the attention he would have gotten in a live hearing. The expectation is that Cooper’s case will be continued to a later date, which would leave it unresolved before the Broncos’ veterans report to training camp on Tuesday.
The circumtances surrounding Cooper’s appearance are fairly well-known at this point. He was arrested twice back in Jue, and he faces multiple chargers related to the June 4 domestic violence incident with his then-girlfriend.
According to Williams, Cooper is charged with second-degree assault, third-degree assault, criminal mischief, violating a protective order and harassment via repeated telephone calls.
Cooper sat out minicamp last month in a mutual decision with the team to focus on his personal healthy and well-being, although the linebacker apparently ignored whatever he was told by coach Sean Payton when the coach had a talk with him after the first arrest.
According to Klis, Cooper recently completed an in-patient couseling, therapy, mental health and overall wellness program that lasted more than a month and probably at least partly explains his lack of availability during that time.
While all of this seems positive for the moment, Cooper’s immediate future with the Broncos is very much in doubt, and that could have a significant impact on his overall career as well.
The Broncos were hoping to give linebacker Jonah Elliss a chance to move inside before the arrests, but that didn’t happen, although it remains unknown how much Cooper’s situation had to do with that.
The long-term ramifications are more severe. Cooper’s financial situation is such that it would be relatively easy for the Broncos to move on from him, despite the fact that the 28-year old linebacker has had 31.5 sacks through the first five seasons of his career with 27 coming in the past three seasons.
There’s much more to follow in this case once the continuation terms are announced, and it’s looking increasingly likely that Cooper will miss time early in the season due to either his case or the possibility of a suspension.
