The NFL has suspended Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce for the first eight regular-season games of the upcoming campaign without pay, a punishment that comes after his arrest in a domestic violence case involving his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
According to police reports and court filings, the arrest stemmed from a violent dispute after the couple’s three-year relationship ended. Jackson said she spotted Pearce following her in a Lamborghini SUV.
As she tried to get to a nearby police station for safety, Pearce allegedly hit the back of her car. When police responded, Pearce refused orders to get on the ground, got back into his SUV, and drove off.
He reportedly intentionally struck an officer’s leg with his vehicle during the incident. Pearce then led officers on a five-minute chase, crashed his SUV, and attempted to run before being tackled.
The league said the case violated its personal conduct policy. Pearce remains eligible to take part in preseason activities and games, but his suspension will begin at the end of August. That means he can play in the preseason and then will be unavailable once the regular season starts, making him eligible to return in Week 9.
For Atlanta, the timing is a major setback for a defensive front that was counting on Pearce to make an immediate impact. The team traded back into the first round to land him, and he delivered on the field during his 2025 rookie season.
Pearce played in all 17 regular-season games and led all NFL rookies with 10.5 sacks, setting the Falcons’ franchise rookie record. He also finished with 45 total pressures, including 16 quarterback hits and 10 tackles for loss.
Despite a legal diversion program, the league still handed down the eight-game suspension, leaving the Falcons without one of their most productive young pass rushers for the opening stretch of the season.
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