Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper pleaded not guilty Monday in a Douglas County courtroom to charges related to incidents involving his former girlfriend in June. A jury trial is scheduled to begin on November 10.

Cooper, 28, was arrested on June 4 following a physical altercation that led to a felony assault charge of strangulation. A week later, he was arrested again for allegedly violating a protective order by attempting to contact the woman. Following these arrests, Cooper was instructed to avoid the Broncos’ mandatory minicamp in June.

On Sunday, Cooper was placed on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list. This designation allows him to remain on full pay and have access to the team’s training facility, but he is barred from practicing with the team or participating in games. Broncos head coach Sean Payton commented after Monday’s practice that Cooper is now permitted to lift weights and attend meetings but cannot take part in on-field activities. “We just wait for this process to play out,” Payton said.

Prior to being placed on the exempt list, Cooper participated fully in the Broncos’ training camp and was named one of the team’s captains in Friday’s preseason finale, a 34-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. The linebacker is a key contributor to the Broncos’ defense, which has led the league in sacks in each of the past two seasons. He has started 52 consecutive games for the team and is a sixth-year professional.

The NFL is conducting an ongoing investigation into the matter. Under the league’s domestic violence policy, Cooper could face a significant suspension. Any games he misses while on the exempt list would count toward the suspension period, but he would be required to repay the salary earned during this time.

The case marks a serious development for Cooper and the Broncos as they prepare for the upcoming season, with the legal and league processes continuing to unfold in the coming months.