{
  "id": 4490115,
  "title": "Broncos star lands on Roger Goodell’s exempt list amid string of legal cases",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/broncos-star-lands-on-roger-goodells-exempt-list-amid-string-of-legal",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-30T19:45:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/broncos-star-lands-roger-goodell-194537500.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Denver Broncos will start the regular season without outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper following the NFL placing him on Commissioner Roger Goodell’s exempt list. This decision follows Cooper's involvement in two incidents with his former girlfriend during the summer, leading to two arrests and five charges. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, Cooper has been placed on the commissioner's exempt list, detailing the legal issues surrounding the Broncos linebacker. The move means Cooper will serve a temporary paid leave from active play while the legal proceedings remain unresolved. Players on the exempt list cannot practice or participate in games but can remain around the team, attend meetings, engage in conditioning and weight-lifting sessions, and receive treatment at the team facility. Cooper's legal troubles stem from two incidents involving his ex-girlfriend in June. He was arrested twice within a week, resulting in five charges, including a second-degree assault felony, third-degree assault, criminal mischief, violating a protective order, and harassment via repeated phone calls. Cooper is expected to plead not guilty at a hearing on Monday, leaving the legal matter unresolved. The NFL's decision to exempt Cooper allows the league to keep him away from active competition while his case continues. Denver had already prepared for the possibility of Cooper missing time due to his off-field situation. Head coach Sean Payton used Cooper for two defensive series in Denver's final preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, with many of the team's other top players remaining on the sideline. Cooper has been a starter for the Broncos, recording 27.0 sacks in his previous three seasons as a starter. The Broncos do have depth at outside linebacker, with Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman, and Que Robinson providing additional options. For now, Cooper's absence adds to the legal situation, which remains ongoing.",
  "summary": "Denver Broncos will begin the regular season without outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper after the NFL placed him on the commissioner’s exempt list. The decision comes after Cooper was involved in two incidents involving his former girlfriend during the summer, resulting in two arrests and five charges.",
  "key_points": [
    "Denver Broncos place Jonathon Cooper on Commissioner Roger Goodell’s exempt list.",
    "Cooper faces legal issues from two incidents with his ex-girlfriend in June.",
    "Players on exempt list can attend meetings and conditioning but cannot practice or play."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}