The Broncos are getting pass-rusher Jonathon Cooper back on the field.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell removed Cooper, 28, from an exempt list that held him out of Denver’s first six games, making him eligible to play for the Broncos in Week 7 against Arizona.
In a statement, the league said its review of Cooper’s conduct for potential violation of its personal conduct policy after a pair of June arrests remains ongoing and is unaffected by Cooper’s status change.
Cooper, though, can now return to practicing with the Broncos in addition to the work he was allowed to do while on the exempt list, which included working out and attending meetings. Denver is off this weekend after winning against Seattle on Thursday night. The league granted the Broncos a one-week roster exemption, so Cooper can practice through next week and will then have to be added to the 53-man roster as the team prepares for the Cardinals.
Cooper had been on the commissioner’s exempt list since Aug. 30.
Cooper was arrested after domestic violence-related incidents with an ex-girlfriend twice in June and was subsequently charged with felony assault charge for strangulation and multiple lesser charges.
He was originally set for trial next month but at a hearing Monday the trial was moved to March 2-4.
Cooper made among his first public comments since the arrests Friday, writing on social media, “Playing in the NFL and representing the Denver Broncos is a privilege I do not take for granted. I’m grateful to ownership, my teammates, coaches and everyone in the organization for their support as well as Commissioner Goodell and the league for the opportunity to return.
“Over the past several months, I’ve spent a lot of time working to better myself. That work will continue. My focus is on being the best person, father, teammate and member of the community I can be. I will show that commitment through my actions every day.”
Cooper could ultimately face a suspension from the league when its review is concluded. Since he has missed six games, the suspension would essentially be time already served up to that number. Cooper, though, would have to repay game checks for the length of a suspension.
If he were suspended longer than six games, he could have to miss additional time. The league’s personal conduct policy sets a benchmark suspension of six games for violations related to domestic violence, though that length can be reduced or increased depending on particular circumstances.
On the field, Cooper’s return happens to coincide with outside linebacker Jonah Elliss sustaining what appeared to be a potentially significant injury Thursday night against the Seahawks.
Elliss was rushing quarterback Sam Darnold in the final minute of regulation and got his right leg bent awkwardly as Darnold was hit by inside linebacker Alex Singleton and players piled up.
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