Denver, on the other hand, has been without a pass-rusher who started every game for three straight seasons and recorded 27 sacks across that span. The absence of Jonathon Cooper has deprived the Broncos of another established edge presence. The NFL has now determined the immediate futures for both players.
The league announced that Josh Jacobs will be removed from the Commissioner Exempt List on October 19 and will be eligible to play in Green Bay’s Week 7 game on October 25 after missing six games. The same timeline applies to Jonathon Cooper, who will be eligible to participate in Denver’s Week 7 matchup on October 25 after a six-game absence. In both cases, the NFL stated that investigations into the players’ legal matters remain ongoing.
Jacobs’ legal situation traces back to an May incident in Wisconsin involving an alleged confrontation with his then-girlfriend. Authorities indicated the woman reported that Jacobs grabbed and threw her to the ground, causing an injury. Jacobs faced initial charges of felony strangulation, which were later pursued as misdemeanor counts of battery and criminal damage to property. In late August, Jacobs was charged with battery and criminal damage to property and ultimately pleaded no contest to both charges in September. Under the plea agreement, the criminal damage charge can be dismissed after 12 months if certain court conditions are met.
The legal proceedings continued, with Jacobs filing a lawsuit on October 15 seeking to seal evidence from the case, including surveillance footage from his home garage. The footage had been cited in the criminal complaint as corroborating the accuser’s account. This development has added complexity to the NFL’s ongoing review under its Personal Conduct Policy, as the league has sought access to the video while the involved parties have contested public release of the material.
Jacobs’ representatives emphasized that releasing materials could compromise privacy and security details, and reiterated that Jacobs supports keeping identifying information and private records confidential. They added that Jacobs has dedicated himself to personal growth and is eager to return to work on the field with his teammates, expressing gratitude for the support from the team, organization, and fans.
The NFL’s decision to reinstate Jacobs does not conclude the matter. The league’s investigation under the Personal Conduct Policy remains active, and additional discipline remains possible. Time spent on the Commissioner Exempt List can count toward potential suspensions, but the reinstatement announcement does not imply a final ruling on punishment.
Cooper’s case began with a June 4 incident involving an argument and physical confrontation with the then-girlfriend. Prosecutors later dropped charges against the woman and added charges against Cooper, including felony second-degree assault by strangulation. A protection order was issued, and Cooper pleaded not guilty to the new charges. Shortly after, he was arrested again for allegedly violating the protection order by making multiple phone calls. Additional charges related to that incident followed, and his trial has been moved to March 2027, with a pretrial hearing scheduled for February 19. The NFL has not announced when its own investigation will conclude.
Cooper expressed appreciation for the opportunity to return, posting on social media that playing in the NFL and representing the Denver Broncos is a privilege. He mentioned his commitment to personal growth and to being the best possible teammate, father, and community member.
The timing of Cooper’s return comes as Denver has surged to 4-2 after a 17-14 overtime victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. Cooper had started every game in each of the previous three seasons, recording 27 sacks over that span, including eight in 2025. His return provides Denver with another seasoned edge option as it prepares for Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals on October 25.
Green Bay’s offense faces a more immediate need. The Packers went 3-2 during Jacobs’ absence and entered Week 7 ranked last in rushing, averaging 60.4 yards per game through five games. Jacobs, who rushed for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024 and added 929 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025, is eligible to return against the Detroit Lions on October 25. Cooper can also return for Denver’s Week 7 matchup against the Cardinals on the same date. While reinstatements resolve the immediate question of when they can return to play, the NFL may still impose further discipline after completing its investigations.
Note: This rewritten summary preserves all essential facts and context while removing references to original publishers, promotional links, and unrelated disclosures. The post reflects the current status of the players’ eligibility and ongoing investigations, along with the potential impact on both teams’ Week 7 preparations.
