FILE - Atlanta Falcons first-round draft pick James Pearce Jr., speaks during a news conference, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
FOOTBALL
NFL suspends Falcons' defender 8 games
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. will be suspended for the first eight games of the 2026 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy, the league announced Friday.
Pearce was arrested in February following a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend and WNBA player, Rickea Jackson. The incident took place in Doral, Fla.
Pearce's charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police and resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking could be dropped if he cooperates in a pretrial intervention program requiring random drug tests, distance from Jackson and staying out of legal trouble for one year.
Pearce will be available to participate in preseason games and all team activities until the suspension takes effect on Sunday, Aug. 30.
The second-year defensive end can be reinstated on Monday, Nov. 2, following Atlanta's Week 8 road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons are set to play the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain, the following week.
The Falcons' pass rush has taken a hit recently following Jalon Walker's season-ending ACL tear. The group is left with Christian Harris, JD Bertrand, Samson Ebukam, Kendal Daniels and Bralen Trice. The Falcons also added Cameron Sample after Walker's injury.
Atlanta traded back to the No. 26 pick in the first round of the 2025 draft to select Pearce. The former Tennessee Volunteer has played a substantial role in transforming the Falcons' pass rush, leading the team with 10 1/2 sacks during his rookie season.
Pearce was one of four suspensions the NFL handed out on Friday.
The NFL also suspended Commanders edge rusher Dorance Armstrong, Tennessee Titans safety Nazeeh Johnson and Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis.
Armstrong was suspended one game for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. He will miss the Commanders season-opening game against Philadelphia on Sept. 13.
Johnson was suspended six games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancers. Mathis was issued a three-game suspension for violating the league's substances of abuse policy.
FILE - Tennessee Titans defensive back Nazeeh Johnson stands on the sideline during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn, File)
FILE - Tennessee Titans defensive back Nazeeh Johnson stands on the sideline during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn, File)
FILE - Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis (72) leaves the field after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL wild card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)
FILE - Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis (72) leaves the field after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL wild card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)