Atlanta Falcons’ James Pearce Jr., a key edge rusher, is facing an eight-game suspension for breaching the NFL’s personal conduct policy in the upcoming 2026 season. The league’s announcement on Friday stems from Pearce’s arrest in February after a domestic altercation with his former girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, in Doral, Fla.
Pearce’s charges include aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, evading police and resisting arrest, as well as misdemeanor stalking. However, these charges may be dropped if he complies with a pretrial intervention program. Conditions of the program involve random drug testing, maintaining distance from Jackson, and staying clear of legal issues for a year.
The suspension will commence on August 30, following which Pearce will be eligible to return on November 2 after the Falcons’ Week 8 clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team is due to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain, the following week.
The Falcons’ defensive lineup has been impacted by Jalon Walker’s season-ending ACL injury. The remaining pass rush unit comprises Christian Harris, JD Bertrand, Samson Ebukam, Kendal Daniels, and Bralen Trice, with Cameron Sample added post-Walker’s injury.
Pearce was drafted in the first round of the 2025 draft with the No. 26 pick after a trade by Atlanta. He made significant contributions in his rookie season, leading the team with 10 1/2 sacks.
Apart from Pearce, the NFL also announced suspensions for three other players on Friday. Washington Commanders’ Dorance Armstrong received a one-game suspension, while Tennessee Titans’ Nazeeh Johnson and Buffalo Bills’ Phidarian Mathis were suspended for six and three games, respectively, for policy violations.
Armstrong, in his ninth NFL season and third with Washington, will miss the Commanders’ season opener against Philadelphia on Sept. 13. Johnson and Mathis are slated to return for their respective teams’ upcoming games in October. Johnson, with three previous seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, had recently signed with the Titans. Mathis, aged 28, had played for Washington before joining the Bills.
As per league regulations, the suspended players can continue practicing and playing with their teams until August 30, when final 53-player rosters must be set. Johnson is set to return for the Titans’ game against Cleveland on October 25, while Mathis can rejoin Buffalo’s lineup for the game against New England on October 4.
