Broncos star is placed on paid leave by the NFL... hours before he is due in court on domestic violence charges

The Denver Broncos have placed outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper on the NFL's commissioner's exempt list, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

This designation removes players from participation in games and team practices as possible violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy are being investigated.

Cooper is scheduled to be in Douglas County (CO) court on Monday to be arraigned on charges of domestic violence.

Under the designation, he is not allowed to play in games or participate in on-field activities, such as practices, until he is removed from the list.

However, this means he does not count against the Broncos' 53-man roster. Sunday is the deadline for NFL teams to trim their rosters to meet that quota.

Per the terms of the list, Cooper will still be paid. He is also allowed to work out at the team facility and attend meetings.

Cooper can still face a league suspension as a result of his alleged actions.

The linebacker, a 2021 seventh-round pick out of Ohio State, has played with the Broncos his entire career. He has started every game in the past three seasons and has career totals of 266 tackles, 1 interception, 3 fumble recoveries and 31.5 sacks.

In June, he was arrested twice in a seven-day span on domestic violence charges pertaining to incidents involving his girlfriend. He faces charges of felony second-degree assault by strangulation and three misdemeanors, including violating a protection order.

Monday's proceedings could lead to a trial date being set if there isn't a settlement reached.

According to ESPN, an affidavit included in the police investigation into Cooper's first arrest included a medical report of his girlfriend. 

Per the report, a nurse noted the woman experienced a physical injury from being choked which led to a 'substantial risk of death' or substantial risk of injury, including the potential for a traumatic brain injury.

The Broncos continued to play Cooper through the preseason, despite the accusations, saying they were 'staying the course with the league protocol, with the club protocol, relative to what we've been advised to do.' Cooper also participated in preseason games, including their final game of the slate against the Minnesota Vikings. 

Broncos head coach Sean Payton says the team 'set guidelines' for Cooper after his arrest, which included attending therapy sessions.