Broncos LB Jonathon Cooper faces four new charges after violating protection order from domestic-violence arrest

Content warning: This article contains depictions of alleged domestic violence.

Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper was arrested for the second time in a week on Thursday, and was hit with four new charges after he allegedly violated a protection order he received last Thursday, according to 9News.com.

Cooper was originally arrested last Thursday. Both he and his girlfriend were charged with two counts of domestic violence and one count of misdemeanor criminal mischief, per 9News.com. As part of that arrest, a protection order was placed against Cooper, preventing him from contacting his girlfriend.

Cooper, 28, allegedly violated that order, leading to another arrest Thursday, June 11. As a result of violating that order, Cooper received four new charges: two domestic-violence charges, one charge of harassment and one charge for violating his protection order.

Additionally, Cooper also faces an "additional felony charge of second-degree assault by strangulation and a charge of third-degree assault," per 9News.com.

Cooper's initial arrest occurred due to an argument over cheating accusations, according to court documents. Cooper is alleged to have grabbed his girlfriend by her neck and then lifted her off the ground, per an affidavit. He then allegedly prevented his girlfriend from leaving and threw her to the ground three times. Cooper then allegedly put his girlfriend's phone in his mouth and bit it, breaking the phone.

Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked about Cooper's initial arrest early Thursday. The coach said the team will stay up to date on the situation, and credited the league for handling things.

Following Cooper's second arrest, however, the Broncos put out a statement saying they were "disappointed" that the linebacker was arrested again.

Cooper, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Broncos, developed into a starter with the team despite his low draft status. He's started every game for the Broncos since the 2023 season, and has amassed 31.5 sacks over his career.