The Atlanta Falcons will be without one of their top young defensive players for half the regular season.
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Linebacker James Pearce Jr. has been suspended eight games by the NFL following his offseason domestic-violence arrest, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Pearce, 22, was arrested in February following an incident involving his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
Authorities alleged that Pearce stalked Jackson and pursued her in a vehicle while she was attempting to reach a police station. Pearce allegedly caused a collision before fleeing from police, first in his vehicle and later on foot.
ESPN source: Falcons DE James Pearce Jr. is being suspended eight regular-season games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Pearce was arrested in February, in Doral, Florida, after a domestic dispute involving his ex-girlfriend, Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea… pic.twitter.com/4GE0LK10ak
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 14, 2026
He was initially charged with five offenses, including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. One of those counts was dropped in March.
Pearce later entered a pretrial intervention program. According to NFL Network, all remaining charges could be dropped if he successfully completes the program, which includes a requirement that he stay away from Jackson. He would face no jail time and make no admission of guilt.
The NFL can discipline players under its personal conduct policy regardless of how a criminal case is ultimately resolved.
Pearce will be permitted to participate in Atlanta's preseason games before his suspension begins in Week 1. He's eligible to return in Week 9, when the Falcons face the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid.
That's a significant loss for Atlanta's defense.
The Falcons selected Pearce with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he immediately delivered.
Pearce recorded 10.5 sacks in 17 games as a rookie and finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Atlanta will now spend the first eight games of his second season without him.
