Atlanta Falcons’ James Pearce Jr., a key edge rusher, has been handed an eight-game suspension by the NFL for breaching the league’s personal conduct protocol, the league revealed recently. The suspension stems from Pearce’s involvement in a domestic altercation with his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, in Doral, Fla., leading to his arrest in February.
As part of a pretrial intervention program, Pearce could see his charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police and resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking dropped if he complies with conditions such as random drug testing, maintaining distance from Jackson, and avoiding legal issues for a year. Despite the impending suspension starting on Aug. 30, Pearce remains eligible to participate in pre-season activities and games until then.
Following the Falcons’ Week 8 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Nov. 2, Pearce can seek reinstatement. The Falcons are slated to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain, the subsequent week. The team’s defensive lineup has been impacted by the loss of Jalon Walker due to an ACL injury, leaving players like Christian Harris, JD Bertrand, Samson Ebukam, Kendal Daniels, and Bralen Trice to fill the void. Cameron Sample was added to the roster post-Walker’s injury.
Selected by Atlanta after trading back in the first round of the 2025 draft, Pearce has been instrumental in bolstering the Falcons’ pass rush, leading the team with 10 1/2 sacks in his rookie year.
Alongside Pearce, three other players faced suspensions from the NFL. Dorance Armstrong of the Commanders received a one-game suspension for breaching the league’s personal conduct policy, impacting his availability for the season opener against Philadelphia on Sept. 13. Armstrong, now in his ninth NFL season and third with Washington, had a limited 2025 season due to a knee ligament tear.
Tennessee Titans’ safety Nazeeh Johnson and Buffalo Bills’ defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis were also suspended for six and three games, respectively, for violations related to performance-enhancing substances and substances of abuse. Johnson, with previous experience at the Kansas City Chiefs, can return for the Titans’ home game against Cleveland on Oct. 25, while Mathis is eligible to play in Buffalo’s home game against New England on Oct. 4.
Johnson, signed by the Titans just before training camp’s commencement, has a history of injuries, including a shoulder issue and a torn ACL in his right knee. Mathis, 28, who played for Washington before joining the Bills, featured in six games for Buffalo last season after appearing in 23 games over three seasons with Washington.
