One of the biggest questions for the Denver Broncos ahead of cut-down day Sunday remains the availability of outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper.
The Broncos will need to trim the roster from 90 players to 53 this weekend, but how Cooper fits into the puzzle remains to be determined. Sean Payton still isn’t sure if the Broncos will have an answer from the NFL on Cooper’s status before then.
“I don’t know. You would always want clarity,” Payton said Wednesday after practice. “But, I think we’ll find out soon and (the media) will probably find out right when I do.”
Cooper was arrested twice in early June, stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident, and faces four active charges in Douglas County, including felony second-degree assault by strangulation. He is set to be arraigned in a Douglas County courtroom Monday.
The 28-year-old Cooper has been a full participant in training camp with the Broncos. The NFL is still conducting its own review of the situation. Cooper could be suspended, which would remove him from the 53-man roster, or he could be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.
That would also remove him from the 53-man roster and it would place him on temporary paid leave. He would not be allowed to play or practice with the team, but players on the exempt list are typically allowed to attend meetings and work out in the club’s facility.
“We continue to monitor all developments in the matter which remains under review,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the Denver Post on Wednesday.
If the NFL does make an announcement before the Sunday cutdown deadline and Cooper is removed from the roster, that could open up a spot for another outside linebacker, Ron Stone, Jr., whom the Broncos signed Tuesday as a free agent.
Rapp released, but likely to return
The Broncos released veteran safety Taylor Rapp a few days after his arrival, but it also sounds like he’ll be back.
“Taylor Rapp came in, we spent some time with him,” Payton said. “He needs a little time at home and we completely get what he’s needing. There’s a good chance, better than good chance that — I know how he felt being here – so I think sooner or later (him re-signing with the Broncos) is going to happen. But this obviously took precedence, so just leave it at that.”
Rapp, a 28-year-old safety with 93 games and 72 starts of NFL experience between stints with the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams, signed Aug. 20 with the Broncos after the team waived injured linebacker Levelle Bailey. He practiced with the team, but did not participate in Denver’s second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.
“It was early, but here’s what we know: We’ve played against him,” Payton said. “He’s smart, which is a great trait to have as a safety. He’s a good tackler. He can play down over the slot. He’s got versatility.”
‘Coach Webb’ is one of the boys
Courtland Sutton grew up about 240 miles south of Prosper, Texas, where a hot-shot quarterback led his high school to a district championship and the state quarterfinals before signing with Texas Tech.
Sutton went to SMU and didn’t cross paths with the quarterback in college, but now Davis Webb is his offensive coordinator. Webb, 31, is less than nine months older than Sutton, but will be calling plays for him after being promoted in February.
“He always laughs when I’m like ‘Coach Webb’ because we’re dang near the same age, but I’m always gonna be respectful,” Sutton said. “He’s gonna be ‘Coach Webb.’ But, Coach Webb is one of the boys, in a sense that he wants to see everyone have success.
“He wants to see us go out there and make plays and have fun doing it. However, he’s gonna be like your boy and be like, ‘Hey, tighten up. Let’s get it going.’ He’s never disrespectful, and I think that allows everyone to go out there and want to play for him.’ ”
Attendance
Did not practice
Side field: CB Riley Moss (ribs), C Alex Forsyth, OLB Drew Sanders, TE Caleb Lohner
Not present: OL Frank Crum
