Atlanta Falcons’ James Pearce Jr., a prominent edge rusher, will face an eight-game suspension at the beginning of the 2026 season due to a breach of the league’s personal conduct regulations, as announced by the league on Friday. Pearce’s suspension stems from an arrest in February following a domestic altercation with his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, in Doral, Fla.
The charges against Pearce, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, evading police, resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking, may be dropped if he complies with a pretrial intervention program. This program mandates random drug tests, maintaining distance from Jackson, and staying clear of legal issues for a year. Pearce remains eligible to participate in pre-season games and team activities until his suspension commences on Aug. 30.
Following Atlanta’s Week 8 clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pearce can seek reinstatement on Nov. 2, just before the Falcons’ upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain. The Falcons’ defense faces challenges after Jalon Walker’s season-ending ACL injury. The group now comprises Christian Harris, JD Bertrand, Samson Ebukam, Kendal Daniels, and Bralen Trice, with Cameron Sample added post-Walker’s injury.
In a series of suspensions, Pearce was one of four NFL players sanctioned. The league also suspended Dorance Armstrong of the Commanders for one game, Nazeeh Johnson of the Titans for six games due to performance-enhancer policy violations, and Phidarian Mathis of the Bills for three games for breaching substance abuse policies.
Armstrong, entering his ninth NFL season and third with Washington, will miss the Commanders’ season opener against Philadelphia. Johnson, with three seasons of NFL experience, is set to return for the Titans’ game against Cleveland on Oct. 25, while Mathis can rejoin the Bills for their matchup against New England on Oct. 4. Johnson, previously with the Kansas City Chiefs, has faced injury setbacks, including a torn ACL, impacting his playtime. Mathis, a 28-year-old player, played six games with the Bills last season after previously featuring for Washington.