Falcons edge rusher James Pearce suspended 8 games following felony charges

The NFL suspended Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. for eight games without pay under the personal-conduct policy, the league announced Friday, after Pearce faced felony charges stemming from a domestic dispute in February.

Pearce, who can play in preseason games, has the right to appeal the suspension, which begins Aug. 30. If it is upheld, he would be reinstated on Nov. 2 and eligible to play Nov. 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid.

Pearce’s status with the team had been in question since a February incident with former girlfriend Rickea Jackson that resulted in three felony charges — for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing the police and resisting an officer with violence — being filed against him. According to an arrest affidavit filed in the case, Pearce followed Jackson’s car for an extended period, intentionally collided with both her front and rear bumpers and attempted to block her access to a Doral (Fla.) police department building.

Pearce, whose charges will be dropped if he completes a 12-month pretrial intervention program in Florida, led all rookies with 10.5 sacks last year after being selected by the Falcons in the first round of the 2025 draft. He finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

He did not participate in any of the team’s voluntary spring workouts but did attend minicamp and has been at every training camp practice.

Yale Sanford, Pearce’s attorney, said Pearce has “taken responsibility for his mental health” following the incident and expressed confidence his client can complete the pretrial intervention program.

“His eyes have been opened, and he will continue to learn and grow and be a better person,” Sanford told The Athletic in April. “He understands the ramifications of what just occurred. He knows what was on the line here. As a human being, he understands that he’s in a much better place.”

The terms of the pretrial intervention program require Pearce to stay away from Jackson, undergo therapy and “stay out of trouble,” Sanford said.

The Falcons are already without edge rusher Jalon Walker, the No. 15 pick in 2025, for the 2026 season after he suffered a torn ACL during training camp.