NFL suspends Falcons' James Pearce
Jr. for 8 games after his arrest in domestic dispute
[August 15, 2026]
By MAURA CAREY
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. will be suspended for
the first eight games of the season for violating the league's
personal conduct policy, the league announced Friday.
Pearce was arrested in February following a domestic dispute with
his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson. The incident took
place in Doral, Florida.
Pearce's charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing
police and resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking could be
dropped if he cooperates in a pretrial intervention program
requiring random drug tests, distance from Jackson and staying out
of legal trouble for one year.
Pearce will be available to participate in preseason games and all
team activities until the suspension takes effect on Aug. 30.
The second-year defensive end can be reinstated on Nov. 2, following
Atlanta's Week 8 game at Tampa Bay. The Falcons will travel to
Madrid to play the Cincinnati Bengals the following week.
The Falcons' pass rush has taken a hit recently following Jalon
Walker's season-ending ACL tear. The group is left with Christian
Harris, JD Bertrand, Samson Ebukam, Kendal Daniels and Bralen Trice.
The Falcons also added Cameron Sample after Walker's injury.
Atlanta traded back to the No. 26 pick in the first round of the
2025 draft to select Pearce. The former Tennessee Volunteer has
played a substantial role in transforming the Falcons' pass rush,
leading the team with 10 1/2 sacks during his rookie season.
Other suspensions
Pearce was one players suspended on Friday.
The NFL also suspended Washington Commanders edge rusher Dorance
Armstrong, Tennessee Titans safety Nazeeh Johnson and Buffalo Bills
defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis.
Armstrong was suspended one game for violating the NFL’s personal
conduct policy. He will miss the Commanders' season opener against
Philadelphia on Sept. 13.
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Atlanta Falcons first-round draft pick James Pearce Jr., speaks
during a news conference, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Flowery Branch,
Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Armstrong opened training camp on the physically
unable to perform list, but has since been activated. He was limited
to playing seven games last season before tearing a knee ligament.
He’s entering his ninth NFL season and third with Washington.
Johnson was suspended six games for violating the league’s policy on
performance-enhancers. Mathis was issued a three-game suspension for
violating the league’s substances of abuse policy.
Under league rules, the players are allowed to practice and play
with their respective teams through Aug. 30, when NFL teams are
required to set their 53-man rosters.
Johnson is eligible to return for the Titans’ home game against
Cleveland on Oct. 25. Mathis can return for Buffalo’s home game
against New England on Oct. 4.
Johnson has three previous seasons of NFL experience, all with the
Kansas City Chiefs, and signed with the Titans on July 27, just
before the opening of training camp.
The 28-year-old had six starts in 29 NFL games with the Chiefs since
being selected by Kansas City in the seventh round of the 2022
draft. A shoulder injury limited Johnson to two games last season.
He also missed the entire 2023 season with a torn ACL in his right
knee.
The 28-year-old Mathis appeared in six games with the Bills last
season. He spent his first three NFL seasons appearing in 23 games
with Washington.
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