The NFL has cleared Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs and Denver Broncos edge rusher Jonathon Cooper to return from the Commissioner Exempt List, although league reviews connected to both players’ legal cases are still underway.
Cooper was reinstated Friday and can suit up for Denver’s Week 7 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. Jacobs will be reinstated Oct. 19, making him eligible for Green Bay’s Week 7 game against the Detroit Lions.
Both players had been placed on the exempt list Aug. 30, keeping them away from team activities and games while their respective cases proceeded.
Jacobs returns as Packers seek to revive ground game
Jacobs has missed Green Bay’s first five games, a stretch in which the Packers went 3-2 while producing the NFL’s lowest-ranked rushing attack.
The running back was arrested in Wisconsin in May after an incident involving his girlfriend. He initially faced five charges, including a felony allegation of strangulation. On Sept. 10, Jacobs entered no-contest pleas to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges.
On Oct. 15, Jacobs filed a lawsuit asking for evidence from the case to be sealed permanently.
In a statement from his legal team, Jacobs said he had spent recent months working to improve himself and accepted responsibility for his actions. The statement added that he was eager to rejoin his Packers teammates and grateful for support from the club, coaches and fans. Jacobs will not address the matter further while legal issues remain pending.
Cooper eligible after Broncos’ 4-2 start
Denver enters Week 7 at 4-2 after its Thursday night win over the Seattle Seahawks and will have Cooper available for its upcoming trip to face Arizona.
Cooper was arrested in Colorado in June following an argument with his girlfriend and was initially accused of domestic violence and criminal mischief. Prosecutors later dismissed charges against the woman, filed additional allegations against Cooper, including felony second-degree assault by strangulation, and secured a protection order for the woman.
Cooper pleaded not guilty in the domestic violence case on June 9. Three days later, he was arrested again on allegations that repeated phone calls violated the protection order and constituted harassment.
His court schedule has been pushed back, with a pretrial hearing set for Feb. 19 and trial now scheduled for March.
In a social-media statement Friday, Cooper called the opportunity to play in the NFL and represent the Broncos a privilege. He thanked Denver ownership, teammates, coaches, the organization, Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league, while saying his work on self-improvement would continue.
Cooper said his priority is to become a better person, father, teammate and member of the Denver community, adding that he intends to demonstrate that commitment through his daily conduct.
