Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr. was suspended eight regular-season games without pay for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, the league announced Friday, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
Pearce is eligible to participate in all preseason activities, including games. His suspension will begin Aug. 30, and he'll be eligible for reinstatement Nov. 2 ahead of the Falcons' game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain.
Pearce is being disciplined in connection to a February incident involving his former girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson. He was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing the police, and resisting an officer with violence - all felonies - as well as misdemeanor stalking. An arrest affidavit asserted that Pearce "followed Jackson's car for an extended period, intentionally collided with both her front and rear bumpers, and attempted to block her access to ... a police department building," according to The Athletic's Josh Kendall.
All charges will be dropped if Pearce completes a 12-month pretrial intervention program.
The Falcons will kick off the regular season without two of their top edge rushers after Pearce's suspension. Jalon Walker is expected to miss the season after tearing his ACL at training camp earlier in August.
Pearce led all rookies with 10.5 sacks in 2025 after the Falcons selected him in the first round. The Tennessee product also recorded 16 QB hits and 10 tackles for loss last season.
