The Atlanta Falcons are gathering information after rookie first-round pick James Pearce Jr.'s arrest in a domestic dispute in Doral, a suburb of Miami.
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According to police records, Pearce is facing multiple charges after being booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. This includes "two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing or eluding police with lights or siren."
The arrest stems from a reported domestic dispute between Pearce and WNBA player Rickea Jackson, a forward for the Los Angeles Sparks.
#Falcons edge James Pearce Jr. was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (two counts), aggravated stalking and fleeing/eluding police. @WPLGLocal10 reports Pearce was arrested after crashing his vehicle following a police chase. pic.twitter.com/ufokgxfQcJ
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 8, 2026
"We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr. in Miami," the Falcons said in a statement. "We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time."
According to WPLG, police say that Pearce, 22, fled the scene of the reported domestic dispute. He crashed at Northwest 103rd Ave and 66th Street. Officers ultimately placed him in handcuffs after a sizable scuffle.
James Pearce Jr. fought off 7 police officers before finally being held down.
Trent Williams stopped and held Pearce to 0 sacks in week 7 when the Falcons played the 49ers.
pic.twitter.com/Qwx2iTvPqv— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) February 8, 2026
A Tennessee product, Pearce joined the Falcons as the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He appeared in all 17 games, starting three, and led the team with 10.5 sacks. He added 26 combined tackles, five passes defensed, one forced fumble, and 16 quarterback hits. He ended the season third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
The rookie is currently on a four-year, $16,778,784 deal that he signed with the Falcons. This includes a $8,842,752 signing bonus and an average annual salary of $4,194,696. This deal includes $7 million in fully-guaranteed money, as well as a potential fifth-year option that would significantly increase his salary for one season.
However, Spotrac notes that a suspension would automatically void the remaining guaranteed money on his contract. A suspension is possible if the league determines that Pearce violated the personal conduct policy. This policy indicates that conduct does not have to result in a criminal conviction before the league disciplines the player.
Some of the violations of the policy include stalking; assault and/or battery; illegal possession of a gun or other weapon; and "actual or threatened physical violence against another person, including dating violence, domestic violence, child abuse, and other forms of family violence."
"It is a privilege to be part of the National Football League. Everyone who is part of the league must refrain from conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the NFL," the policy begins.
"Conduct by anyone in the league that is illegal, violent, dangerous, or irresponsible puts innocent victims at risk, damages the reputation of others in the game, and undercuts public respect and support for the NFL. We must endeavor at all times to be people of high character; we must show respect for others inside and outside our workplace; and we must conduct ourselves in ways that favorably reflect on ourselves, our teams, the communities we represent, and the NFL.
"To this end, the league provides annual and ongoing education regarding the Policy and related topics such as respect and appropriate behavior, as well as resources for all employees to assist them in conforming their behavior to the standards expected of them. Our goal is to prevent violations, but when violations of this Policy do occur, appropriate disciplinary action must follow."
