Broncos Roster Churn Could Include A Call On Cooper

The Denver Broncos are finalizing their roster as they prepare to play their final preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings tomorrow night, and there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. There are jobs to be won and cuts to be made, and there’s also plenty of controversy involved in those decisions. 

The biggest controversy involves the status of linebacker Jonathon Cooper going forward. The Broncos have elected to support Cooper in training camp, and he’s even appeared in games with the starters. 

But the Broncos will need to go from 90 players to 53 this weekend, and they don’t know how Cooper fits into that equation. Coach Sean Payton admitted as much in a piece written by Corey Masisak of the Denver Post when he was asked about Cooper’s status. 

“I don’t know. You would always want clarity,” Payton said Wednesday after practice. “But, I think we’ll find out soon and (the media) will probably find out right when I do.”

Cooper was arrested twice back in June related to a domestic violence incident, and he’s currently facing four active charges in Douglas County, where he’s set to be arraigned on Monday. The charges include second-degree felony assault for strangulation, and Cooper could be suspended, which would remove him from the 53-man roster, or he could be placed on the Commissioner’s Exampt List, which would also remove him from the roster. 

But being placed on the exampt list would allow him to attend meetings and work out in the team’s facility, and the NFL hasn’t commented on the situation. 

“We continue to monitor all developments in the matter which remains under review,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said on Wednesday.

If Cooper is removed from the roster, it could open up a spot for free agenet linebacker Ron Stone, who was signed earlier this week. 

Another situation that bears monitoring is that of safety Taylor Rapp, who was released a few days after arriving. But his status is also up in the air, and in Rapp’s case it’s more of a pure numbers game. 

“Taylor Rapp came in, we spent some time with him,” Payton said. “He needs a little time at home and we completely get what he’s needing. There’s a good chance, better than good chance that — I know how he felt being here – so I think sooner or later (him re-signing with the Broncos) is going to happen. But this obviously took precedence, so just leave it at that.”

The Broncos signed Rapp when linebacker Levelle Bailey suffered a leg fracture earlier in the preseason, but Rapp didn’t play in Denver’s 33-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. 

“It was early, but here’s what we know: We’ve played against him,” Payton added. “He’s smart, which is a great trait to have as a safety. He’s a good tackler. He can play down over the slot. He’s got versatility.”