What happened: Speaking for the first time since his arrest, Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper said he makes no excuses, holds himself accountable, and owes it to everyone to bring the best version of himself. Cooper has pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges after landing on the NFL Commissioner's Exempt list on Aug. 30.

Why it matters: Getting the 2021 seventh-round pick out of Ohio State (239th overall) back on the active roster restores an established edge rusher to Denver's defensive rotation for the 2026 regular season. Per ESPN (as of Sept. 29, 2026), Cooper recorded 50 tackles and 8 sacks across 17 games for the Broncos in 2025 before missing the opening stretch of this year on the exempt list.

What to watch: Cooper is eligible to take the field for Denver this Sunday, while his jury trial remains scheduled for Nov. 10.