Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper has been arrested for a second time this month after authorities accused him of violating a protection order.
According to court records (via ESPN), Cooper was taken into custody Thursday night (June 11) and now faces additional charges related to an alleged protection order violation and harassment stemming from repeated phone calls.
The latest arrest comes just days after the 28-year-old NFL player was already facing multiple charges connected to an incident in Parker, Colorado on June 4. Since then, prosecutors have added additional allegations to the case, including a felony count of second-degree assault by strangulation and a misdemeanor assault charge.
Court documents state Cooper's girlfriend was granted a protection order following the earlier arrest. Investigators claim Cooper contacted her numerous times Thursday through text messages and phone calls before allegedly going to her apartment and knocking on her door.
Authorities say the woman contacted 911, prompting police to respond. When officers later spoke with Cooper, he reportedly told them he had not been served with the protection order.
During a court appearance Friday morning (June 12), a judge ordered Cooper be released on a personal recognizance bond and directed him to comply with a stricter no-contact order. He must also receive court approval before traveling outside Colorado.
The Denver Broncos acknowledged the latest development in a statement. "We are disappointed to learn of Jonathon Cooper's arrest on Thursday and continue to review this matter," the organization said.
The NFL is also monitoring the situation. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said the matter remains under review under the NFL's personal conduct policy.
According to court filings, Cooper and his girlfriend have provided investigators with sharply different accounts of the alleged altercation that led to Cooper's arrest on June 4.
A recently filed affidavit cites findings from a medical examination conducted on Cooper's girlfriend. A nurse reportedly concluded that injuries associated with the alleged strangulation created a substantial risk of serious bodily harm. That assessment differed from initial observations made by a responding officer, who noted visible marks but questioned whether they were consistent with an assault.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton confirmed Thursday that he had spoken extensively with Cooper following the original arrest and said the organization would continue monitoring the legal process while following guidance from both local authorities and the NFL.
Cooper later addressed the situation on social media, apologizing to his family, friends, and community while acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations. He is scheduled to appear in court again next month as both cases move forward.
A seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Cooper signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension with the Denver Broncos in 2024. He finished the 2025 season with eight sacks, helping the team set a franchise record for sacks in a single season.
