Atlanta Falcons star James Pearce Jr has been suspended by the NFL for the club's first eight regular season games without pay following his offseason arrest over an alleged domestic dispute involving WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
The league confirmed the penalty in an official statement, noting that Pearce remains eligible to participate in all preseason activities, including games. His suspension begins on August 30, and he will be eligible for reinstatement on Monday, November 2.
An NFL statement read: "James Pearce Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons is suspended for the club's first eight regular season games without pay for violating the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy."
"Pearce is eligible to participate in all preseason activities, including games. The suspension will begin on August 30, and he will be eligible for reinstatement on Monday, November 2."
Legal Charges and Pretrial Diversion
Pearce was arrested on February 7 following an alleged incident involving Jackson, who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks in the Women's National Basketball Association. The couple had dated for around three years before separating shortly before the encounter.
Pearce spent a night behind bars following his arrest before being released the next day on a $20,500 bond. Social media images emerged shortly after, showing six police officers pinning Pearce to the ground while trying to detain him.
Pearce initially faced three felony charges: aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence to his or her person. A felony aggravated stalking charge was changed to a misdemeanor, while a charge of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer was dropped.
To avoid jail time and resolve the charges, Pearce agreed to enter a six-month pretrial intervention program. His attorney, Jacob Nunez, stated to The Associated Press in April: "Mr. Pearce Jr. will be entering a six-month diversion program. Upon completion of the six months without violation, the state will dismiss all felony and misdemeanor charges."
In a joint statement, Nunez and fellow defense attorney Yale Sanford said: "James is focused on moving forward, rejoining his teammates and the Atlanta Falcons organization as a whole, performing at the highest level, and continuing to be a team player on and off the field."
His lawyers told ESPN that they stood by a statement made after his arrest, saying he "maintains his innocence" and urging "the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story."
Details of Alleged Incident
According to a criminal complaint, Jackson told police that Pearce followed her vehicle in a white Lamborghini SUV, then exited his vehicle and attempted to open her driver's side door when she stopped at a red light.
Jackson alleged that after she sped away, Pearce pursued her in his vehicle and "intentionally collided with the rear of her vehicle" before cutting her off with his car and hitting her car head-on.
An arrest affidavit stated that Pearce refused an initial order from police to "get on the floor." He then drove away and hit a police officer's left knee with his knee "intentionally in an attempt to evade arrest."
Jackson filed for a protective order in court in February, telling a judge that she "feared for her life."
In court documents filed two days after Pearce's arrest and seen by the Daily Mail, Jackson wrote that Pearce "verbally and physically abused me on more than one occasion." The court filing also stated that Pearce was accused of threatening to kill her and place a bag over her head.
Training Camp and Team Response
Pearce was absent from Atlanta's voluntary organized team activity sessions earlier in the offseason, but he has been present at training camp. The organization has praised his approach to football despite the looming suspension.
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said last week that he had "no update" on Pearce, adding: "He's doing a nice job. And I appreciate the work he is continuing to put into it (in practice). He is continuing to do everything we are asking him to do."
Falcons president and CEO Greg Beadles also discussed the situation last week, saying: "First of all, James has been doing really well. Everything that we want him to do on and off of the field, so that's been great. And we do expect sometime in the next several days that we'll hear from the league. Just officially what the stance is going to be with him going forward."
The Falcons rebuilt their pass rush during the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Jalon Walker at No. 15 overall before trading back into the first round to select Pearce out of Tennessee at No. 26 overall. Pearce produced 10.5 sacks as a rookie, while Walker contributed 36 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
Both pass rushers will be missing for the start of the 2026 season. Walker tore his anterior cruciate ligament during training camp, while Pearce serves his eight-game league suspension.
Atlanta opens the 2026 regular season against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. Pearce will be eligible to return when the Falcons host the Cincinnati Bengals on November 8.
