The NFL has handed down an eight-game suspension to Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. to start the 2026 season due to a violation of the league's personal conduct policy. The disciplinary action follows a February domestic incident in South Florida involving his ex-girlfriend, Chicago Sky forward Rickea Jackson.
Pearce, 22, was arrested following the February 7 altercation. According to Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez, Pearce allegedly rammed his vehicle into Jackson's car as she attempted to drive to a police station to escape him. Pearce then fled the Doral, Florida police headquarters and crashed his vehicle. He was released from custody the following day after posting a $20,500 bond.
Following the incident, Jackson, a former first-round WNBA draft pick, secured a protective order against Pearce. In her injunction filing, Jackson stated she was 'in fear of my life' and expressed belief that 'James will kill me' if she were to be left unprotected.
In April, the former first-round draft pick agreed to enter a six-month diversion program designed for first-time defendants with no prior criminal record. Miami-based attorney Yale Sanford noted that the program requires Pearce to undergo counseling, submit to drug testing, and adhere to a stay-away order regarding Jackson. Completing the program could resolve several pending charges, which include felony counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence, alongside a misdemeanor stalking charge.
Pearce's suspension is set to officially begin on August 30. Until then, he remains eligible to participate in all preseason activities and games. The Falcons recently released their preseason depth chart on August 12, positioning Pearce as a third-string defensive end behind Cameron Thomas and Azeez Ojulari—a depth placement believed to stem from his looming discipline rather than his on-field performance. As a rookie, the No. 26 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft led Atlanta with 10.5 sacks.
The Falcons open their preseason schedule on August 14 against the Denver Broncos at 7 p.m. ET. Once his suspension takes effect, Pearce will not be eligible for reinstatement until November 2, the day after Atlanta's Week 8 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His first potential regular-season appearance of 2026 would be a Week 9 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, scheduled to be played at the Real Madrid stadium Bernabéu in Madrid.
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