Atlanta Falcons’ James Pearce Jr., a prominent edge rusher, has been handed an eight-game suspension for the 2026 NFL season due to a breach of the league’s personal conduct regulations. The suspension, announced on Friday, stems from an incident in February involving his ex-girlfriend and WNBA player, Rickea Jackson, in Doral, Florida.
Pearce faced charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, evading police, resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking. These charges may be dropped if he complies with a pretrial intervention program, which includes random drug screenings, maintaining distance from Jackson, and staying clear of legal issues for a year.
The suspension will commence on August 30, following the Falcons’ pre-season activities and games. Pearce can return to the team on Monday, November 2, after the Week 8 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons are scheduled to play the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain, the subsequent week.
The Falcons’ defensive line has been impacted by injuries, notably Jalon Walker’s season-ending ACL tear. The remaining group includes Christian Harris, JD Bertrand, Samson Ebukam, Kendal Daniels, Bralen Trice, and newly added Cameron Sample.
Atlanta traded down to the 26th pick in the 2025 draft to acquire Pearce, who made a significant impact in his rookie season by leading the team with 10 1/2 sacks.
In addition to Pearce, the NFL issued suspensions to three other players on the same day. Commanders’ Dorance Armstrong received a one-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, while Titans’ Nazeeh Johnson and Bills’ Phidarian Mathis received suspensions of six games and three games, respectively, for policy violations on performance-enhancers and substances of abuse.
Armstrong, in his ninth NFL season and third with Washington, will miss the Commanders’ season opener against Philadelphia. Johnson is set to return for the Titans’ game against Cleveland on October 25, and Mathis can rejoin the Bills for their game against New England on October 4.
Johnson, with prior experience with the Kansas City Chiefs, joined the Titans in July. Mathis, a 28-year-old player, appeared in six games for the Bills last season after playing 23 games with Washington in his initial three NFL seasons.
