Atlanta Falcons’ pass rusher James Pearce Jr. faces an eight-game suspension at the start of the 2026 season for breaching the league’s personal conduct policy, as per the NFL’s recent announcement. The suspension stems from his arrest in February following a domestic altercation with his ex-girlfriend and WNBA player, Rickea Jackson, in Doral, Fla.
Pearce, a second-year defensive end, is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police, resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking. However, these charges could be dropped if he complies with a pretrial intervention program, which includes random drug tests, maintaining distance from Jackson, and staying clear of legal issues for a year.
Until the suspension takes effect on August 30, Pearce remains eligible to participate in pre-season games and all team activities. He could potentially be reinstated on November 2 after the Falcons’ Week 8 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, just before their game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain.
The Falcons’ pass rush has been impacted by Jalon Walker’s season-ending ACL injury. The remaining defensive lineup includes Christian Harris, JD Bertrand, Samson Ebukam, Kendal Daniels, and Bralen Trice, with Cameron Sample joining the team post-Walker’s injury.
In addition to Pearce, the NFL issued suspensions to three other players on Friday. Commanders’ edge rusher Dorance Armstrong received a one-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, affecting his availability for Washington’s season opener against Philadelphia on September 13.
Tennessee Titans safety Nazeeh Johnson was suspended for six games due to a policy violation on performance-enhancers, while Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis received a three-game suspension under the league’s substances of abuse policy. Both players can continue practicing and playing until August 30, when teams must finalize their 53-player rosters.
Johnson is set to return for the Titans’ home game against Cleveland on October 25, while Mathis may rejoin Buffalo for their home game against New England on October 4. Johnson, with three NFL seasons under his belt, previously played for the Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Titans. Meanwhile, Mathis, 28, appeared in six games for the Bills last season after spending his initial seasons with Washington.