Atlanta Falcons’ James Pearce Jr., a key edge rusher, faces an eight-game suspension at the start of the 2026 season for breaching the league’s personal conduct regulations, as per the league’s recent announcement. The suspension stems from an arrest following a domestic altercation with his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, in Doral, Fla., back in February.
Pearce’s charges, which include aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police, resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking, may be dismissed if he complies with a pretrial intervention program. This program mandates random drug tests, maintaining distance from Jackson, and staying out of legal trouble for a year. Until the suspension takes effect on Aug. 30, Pearce remains eligible for preseason games and team activities.
The defensive end, in his second year, can potentially return on Monday, Nov. 2, post the Falcons’ Week 8 match against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons will then face the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain, the following week. The team’s pass rush has been impacted by Jalon Walker’s season-ending injury, leaving them with a reduced group of defensive players.
In a separate development, the NFL announced suspensions for four players on Friday. Alongside Pearce, Commanders’ Dorance Armstrong, Titans’ Nazeeh Johnson, and Bills’ Phidarian Mathis also faced suspensions for various policy violations. Armstrong received a one-game suspension, Johnson a six-game suspension, and Mathis a three-game suspension.
Armstrong, entering his ninth NFL season and third with Washington, will miss the Commanders’ season opener against Philadelphia. Johnson, with three previous seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, can return for the Titans’ game against Cleveland on Oct. 25. Mathis, who played for the Bills last season after three seasons with Washington, is set to return for Buffalo’s game against New England on Oct. 4. Players under suspension can continue practicing and playing until Aug. 30, when teams are required to finalize their 53-player rosters.