Broncos' Jonathon Cooper to start season on commissioner's exempt list, AP source says

A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Sunday that Denver Bronco s linebacker Jonathon Cooper, who's facing a felony strangulation charge, will start the season on the commissioner's exempt list.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move wasn't immediately announced by the team or the NFL ahead of Sunday's roster cutdown deadline.

Cooper faces an arraignment Monday on several domestic violence charges following two arrests in June stemming from altercations with a woman he was dating at the time.

Cooper was allowed to participate in training camp and on Friday was one of the Broncos' captains in their preseason finale, a 34-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

The league is investigating Cooper’s situation and the sixth-year pro could face a lengthy suspension under the NFL’s domestic violence policy.

Cooper, who has started 52 consecutive games for the Broncos, is a key member of a defense that has led the league in sacks each of the past two seasons. He was told to stay away from the Broncos’ mandatory minicamp in June following his second arrest in a week's span.

Cooper, 28, was originally arrested June 4 by police in Parker along with his then-girlfriend following an argument and physical confrontation after she accused him of infidelity, according to a police affidavit. Later that week, prosecutors dropped charges against her and added charges against Cooper, including a felony charge of second-degree assault by strangulation, while also granting her a protection order.

Cooper was later arrested a second time on multiple charges that he violated the protection order. He was accused of sending 20 messages and making two unanswered phone calls to his girlfriend before going to her apartment and knocking on her door, according to the arrest affidavit. He left when she called 911.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper, left, takes part in drill with defensive assistant Michael Wilhoite during practice at the team's NFL football training camp Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper walks on the sideline during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

TORONTO (AP) — Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer moved into ninth place on the career strikeout list Sunday, passing Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry.

A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer reached the mark by striking out Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh for the second out of the seventh inning, the 3,535th of his career.

It was Scherzer’s season-high 10th strikeout of the game, the first time this season he has fanned 10 or more. His previous high was five.

Earlier this month, Scherzer passed Hall of Famer Walter Johnson and into 10th place all-time by striking out former teammate Kyle Schwarber to begin the sixth inning of an Aug. 8 win at Philadelphia.

Scherzer, 42, struck out the side in the first Sunday, getting all three of Randy Arozarena, Dominic Canzone and Julio Rodríguez swinging.

Josh Naylor struck out looking in the second, and went down swinging with a runner at second base to end the fourth.

Arizona’s first round pitch in the 2006 draft, Scherzer is an eight-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion. He debuted with the Diamondbacks in 2008 and has also pitched for Detroit, Washington, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Mets, and Texas.

__

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer winds up to deliver to a Seattle Mariners batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer throws to a Seattle Mariners batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer throws to a Seattle Mariners batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)