Atlanta Falcons’ linebacker, James Pearce Jr., is facing an eight-game suspension for breaching the NFL’s personal conduct policy in the 2026 season. The league revealed this decision on Friday due to an incident in February involving Pearce and his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, resulting in his arrest in Doral, Florida.
Pearce’s charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police, resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking, may be dropped if he complies with a pretrial intervention program. This program entails random drug tests, maintaining distance from Jackson, and staying out of legal trouble for a year.
The suspension will commence on August 30, following the Falcons’ preseason games and all team activities. Pearce can be reinstated on November 2 after serving the suspension, coinciding with Atlanta’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8, before facing the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain, the following week.
The Falcons’ defense has been impacted by injuries, notably Jalon Walker’s season-ending ACL tear. The team now relies on Christian Harris, JD Bertrand, Samson Ebukam, Kendal Daniels, Bralen Trice, and recently added Cameron Sample to bolster their pass rush.
Atlanta traded to secure Pearce with the No. 26 pick in the 2025 draft, and the former Tennessee Volunteer made a significant impact during his rookie season, leading the team with 10 1/2 sacks.
Alongside Pearce, the NFL also handed suspensions to Dorance Armstrong of the Commanders, Nazeeh Johnson of the Titans, and Phidarian Mathis of the Bills for various policy violations. Armstrong will miss the season opener against Philadelphia, Johnson faces a six-game suspension, and Mathis will be sidelined for three games.
All players are permitted to practice and play until August 30 when teams must finalize their 53-man rosters. Johnson is set to return for the Titans’ game against Cleveland on October 25, while Mathis can rejoin the Bills for their matchup against New England on October 4.
Johnson, with previous experience with the Kansas City Chiefs, joined the Titans in July, while Mathis played for Washington before moving to the Bills.