James Pearce Jr. suspension: Why Falcons defender will miss half the season after domestic arrest image
Around six months after he was arrested in Florida for a domestic dispute, Atlanta Falcons pass rusher James Pearce Jr. has received discipline from the NFL.
The league is suspending Pearce for eight regular-season games for violations of its personal conduct policy, Adam Schefter reported Friday.
Pearce, 22, had a standout rookie season for the Falcons in 2025, but will now be sidelined to open his second NFL campaign.
Here's what to know about Pearce's suspension and arrest in February.
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James Pearce Jr. suspension
Schefter reported Friday that the NFL has landed upon an eight-game suspension for Pearce, who violated the league's personal conduct policy.
Since Pearce's arrest in February, the possibility of a suspension has been looming. When new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski took over in April, he said Pearce wouldn't be joining the team at the start of the voluntary offseason workout program as a result of his ongoing legal issues.
Pearce's suspension will take effect on Aug. 30, according to the Falcons. He will be permitted to participate in preseason and other Falcons team activities until then, and he will be eligible for reinstatement on Monday, Nov. 2.
James Pearce Jr. arrest details
Pearce was arrested on Feb. 7, 2026, in Miami-Dade County, Florida, following a domestic dispute with his then-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
Pearce was initially charged with three felonies in the case: Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police and resisting an officer with violence to his or her person. His felony aggravated stalking charge was changed to a misdemeanor, while his charge of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer was also dropped.
A criminal complaint said that Pearce allegedly "crashed his vehicle into one being driven" by Jackson multiple times, ESPN reported, and "struck a police officer with the vehicle while evading arrest." Pearce was released from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center after posting a $20,500 bond.
The complaint also said that Jackson told police that she noticed Pearce following her car in a white Lamborghini SUV, per ESPN, and when stopped at a red light, Pearce allegedly left his car and attempted to open the driver's side door of her vehicle. Jackson sped away, and Pearce allegedly went back to his vehicle and pursued her.
Jackson began driving toward the Doral (Florida) Police Department, the complaint said, and Pearce continued following her before he "intentionally collided into the rear of her vehicle" with his SUV. He then allegedly cut her off with his SUV and hit her car head-on.
When police arrived on the scene, per ESPN, they saw Pearce "standing on the outside of his SUV on the driver's side with the door open," and he got back into his car and drove away after being told to go to the ground. When he pulled away, Pearce allegedly struck an officer in his knee with the SUV, which the affidavit said was "intentionally in an attempt to evade arrest."
After police pursued Pearce, he eventually crashed his vehicle and fled on-foot before being apprehended. Per ESPN, Pearce "began to resist arrest by tensing his arms and not allowing officers to apprehend him."
Pearce's legal team said in a statement to ESPN in March that he "maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, it is hardly the full, complete story."
In April, Andy Slater reported that Pearce's legal team worked out an agreement to have all of his charges dismissed if he "completes a program offered to him by the state of Florida," including therapy sessions and staying "out of trouble over a six-month period."
What did James Pearce Jr. do?
Pearce was arrested in February following a domestic dispute with his then-girlfriend, Rickea Jackson, accused of crashing his car into hers multiple times, fleeing from police and resisting arrest.
The Falcons pass rusher has faced felony charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police and resisting arrest, as well as misdemeanor stalking; however, per ESPN, those charges will be dropped if Pearce "stays out of trouble for the next year, passes random drug tests and remains compliant with a mental health treatment program."
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James Pearce Jr.-Rickea Jackson relationship
Pearce and Jackson, a forward currently playing for the WNBA's Chicago Sky and formerly of the Los Angeles Sparks, were reportedly in a multi-year relationship prior to February's domestic dispute.
Both attended the University of Tennessee prior to heading to their respective professional sports leagues. Jackson told police that she and Pearce dated for about three years.
Per ESPN, Jackson wrote in a petition for protection against Pearce in March that she "she became more afraid for her safety after trying to break up with Pearce weeks before his arrest" and that on the day of the arrest, Pearce told her he would give her "up to $75,000" to visit with him and "$200,000 to remain in a relationship with him."
Jackson also reportedly said in the petition that Pearce "believed she was cheating on him" and during a confrontation in January, he "took her cellphone, pulled her hair and snatched her belongings." Pearce told police, per ESPN, there was no physical altercations and that he did think Jackson was cheating, but "explained that she offered to let him search both her phones."
When will James Pearce Jr. play in 2026?
Pearce will be eligible for reinstatement by the NFL on Monday, Nov. 2.
Atlanta will be entering Week 9 by that date, coming off a matchup against the Buccaneers and preparing for a game in Madrid against the Bengals.