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For the second time in a week, the same NFL player was handcuffed.
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathan Cooper was arrested Thursday evening after allegedly violating a protection order that was filed against him following his domestic violence arrest last week.
Cooper and his girlfriend were both arrested on domestic violence charges last Friday, with both being suspected of two counts of domestic violence and one count of criminal mischief, according to Douglas County Jail records.
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Jonathon Cooper of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack against Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 7, 2025. (Tyler Schank/Getty Images)
But the order was issued after two additional charges, including felony strangulation, the New York Post said, citing court records.
“We are disappointed to learn of Jonathon Cooper’s arrest on Thursday and continue to review this matter,” the Broncos said in a statement.
The two, who have been seeing each other on and off for years, were hanging out at Cooper’s residence when she confronted him about his alleged infidelity. The woman grabbed Cooper’s phone and threw it against a wall, then eventually regained control of the device to scroll through it, the arrest affidavit states, according to TMZ.
Cooper and the woman then fought to get the phone back, which Cooper eventually got back after the physical struggle. He then demanded that the woman leave her home, and allegedly told her he would break her cellphone, according to probable cause, according to TMZ.
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper stands on the field before the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on December 21, 2025. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
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After the woman didn’t leave, he bit and broke the iPhone screen, according to the affidavit.
Cooper pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday.
Cooper, 28, has been with the Broncos since they drafted him out of Ohio State in the seventh round of the NFL draft, and he has spent all five seasons of his career with Denver.
In 17 games last season, Cooper recorded 50 tackles and eight sacks and was a key member of the Broncos’ strong defense. During his career, Cooper played in 81 games, recording 266 tackles and 31.5 sacks.
The Broncos signed him to a four-year, $60 million contract extension in November 2024.
(Left) Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) runs a defensive play during the overtime period of the AFC Divisional Round game against the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on January 17, 2026. (Right) Denver Broncos star Jonathon Cooper was arrested early Friday morning on suspicion of two counts of domestic violence and one count of criminal mischief in Colorado. (Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images; Courtesy Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)
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