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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 night after allegedly violating an order of protection filed for him following his domestic violence arrest last week.
Cooper and his girlfriend were both arrested for domestic violence last Friday, with both being taken into custody on suspicion 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 in 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 more charges, including aggravated 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 couple, who have been seeing each other off and on 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 walk through it, the arrest affidavit said, according to TMZ.
Cooper and the woman then struggled for the phone, which Cooper eventually retrieved after the physical struggle. He then demanded the woman leave her home and he allegedly told her he was going to break her cell phone, the probable cause statement said, according to TMZ.
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper stands on the field before the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo., on Dec. 21, 2025. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
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After the woman didn’t leave, he bit down and cracked the iPhone’s 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 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’ stout defense. In his career, Cooper has played in 81 games and recorded 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) looks on after a defensive play in overtime of the AFC Divisional Round game against the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, Jan. 17, 2026. (Right) Denver Broncos star Jonathon Cooper was arrested early at home on Friday morning. a case of criminal mischief in Colorado. (Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images; Courtesy Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)
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