The Falcons are heading into the regular season without one of their most explosive young defenders. James Pearce has been suspended for the first eight regular-season games of the upcoming campaign without pay after the NFL ruled the circumstances surrounding his arrest violated the league’s personal conduct policy.
Pearce is still allowed to take part in preseason practices and games, but his ban will begin at the end of August and run through the opening stretch of the season. That means he won’t be eligible to return until Week 9.
The disciplinary action stems from a domestic violence arrest involving Pearce and his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson. Police reports and court filings say the incident came after the end of their three-year relationship.
Jackson reportedly saw Pearce following her in a Lamborghini SUV and tried to get to a nearby police station for safety. According to those reports, Pearce then allegedly rammed the back of her car.
When police responded, Pearce reportedly ignored commands to get on the ground, climbed back into his SUV and drove off. He allegedly struck an officer’s leg with the vehicle during the escape. Authorities say he led officers on a five-minute chase, crashed the SUV and then tried to run before being tackled.
The suspension lands as a major hit to Atlanta’s defensive front. Pearce was one of the bright spots of the 2025 rookie season, appearing in all 17 regular-season games and quickly becoming a force off the edge.
He 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.
Atlanta traded back into the first round to get him, and the production showed why. Now the Falcons will have to open the season without him, even as he remains available for the preseason.
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