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NFL suspends Falcons' James Pearce Jr. for first 8 games of 2026 season

nbcmiami.com · 5h · first reportShare

Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. will be suspended for the first eight games of the 2026 season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, the league announced Friday. Pearce was arrested in February following a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend and WNBA player, Rickea Jackson. The incident took place in Doral, Florida. Pearce’s charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police and resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking could be dropped if he cooperates in a pretrial intervention program requiring random drug tests, distance from Jackson and staying out of legal trouble for one year. Pearce will be available to participate in preseason games and all team activities until the suspension takes effect on Sunday, Aug. 30 — which is also when 53-man rosters are finalized. The second-year pass rusher can be reinstated on Monday, Nov. 2, following Atlanta’s Week 8 road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . The Falcons are set to play the Cinci