Sean Payton and Broncos taking Jonathon Cooper arrests ‘very seriously’

Denver Broncos edge-rusher Jonathon Cooper was absent from the team’s mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, but it was excused.

Cooper was arrested twice in two weeks, including last Thursday for a second time after the team wrapped up OTAs.

He’s now facing a felony charge, stemming from an alleged incident with his girlfriend. Cooper admitted to putting his hands on her neck and a medical professional said she sustained “a substantial risk of death” and “strangulation with hypoxia.”

Payton met with the media for the first time since Cooper’s second arrest and explained where things stand right now.

“Excused him from this minicamp. He’s taking this time obviously, he’s gotta work on himself and the club’s very much in tune to the league office, local authorities here and we’ve had several meetings,” Payton said.

The head coach then continued with more.

“Clearly, from an ownership standpoint, head coach, organizationally there’s a bar that we have and an expectation that we have that’s very high. We’ll consider all that as we continue to gather the information and that’s really all I can tell you… we take it very seriously,” Payton said.

The local Broncos media asked Payton several follow-up questions, but he made it clear he didn’t have more to say on the situation at this moment in time.

“I don’t think it’s my place to comment anymore right now, because obviously it’s a pretty significant issue,” Payton said.

For now, Cooper remains on the team. He’s due in court multiple times in July, where further evidence is likely to be presented and a jury trial is on the calendar.

We’ll see what the future holds in the NFL for Cooper and whether a suspension is looming from the league. Or if he plays for the Broncos this season and beyond.