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📖 Read full article→NFL suspends Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. for 8 games after his arrest in domestic dispute - AP News
Entertainment and CultureBy Maura Carey8/15/20261 min read
The NFL has suspended Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. for the first eight games of the season. This decision follows his February arrest after a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend, Rickea Jackson. The incident occurred in Doral, Florida. Pea…
✨ Key Highlights
- The NFL suspended Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. for the first eight games of the season for violating the league's personal conduct policy, the league announced Friday.
- Pearce was arrested in February following a domestic dispute in Doral, Florida, with his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, facing charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police, resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking.
- Those charges could be dropped if Pearce completes a pretrial intervention program that requires random drug tests, distance from Jackson, and staying out of legal trouble for one year.
- Pearce can participate in preseason games and team activities until the suspension begins Aug. 30, and he is eligible for reinstatement on Nov. 2, after Atlanta's Week 8 game at Tampa Bay.
- The suspension compounds recent losses to the Falcons' pass rush, including Jalon Walker's season-ending ACL tear; Pearce led the team with 10½ sacks as a rookie after being drafted No. 26 overall in 2025 out of Tennessee.
- The NFL issued other suspensions the same day, including a one-game penalty for Washington Commanders edge rusher Dorance Armstrong for violating the personal conduct policy, along with sanctions for Titans safety Nazeeh Johnson and Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis.
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. will be suspended for the first eight games of the season for violating the leagues personal conduct policy, the league announced Friday.
Pearce was arre