Atlanta Falcons’ James Pearce Jr., a key edge rusher, is facing an eight-game suspension at the start of the 2026 NFL season for breaching the league’s personal conduct regulations. The suspension was announced by the league on Friday. Pearce’s suspension stems from his arrest in February after a domestic altercation with his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, in Doral, Fla.
Charges against Pearce include aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police, resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking. However, these charges could be dropped if he complies with a pretrial intervention program, which includes random drug screenings, maintaining distance from Jackson, and avoiding legal issues for a year. Pearce will remain eligible for pre-season games and team activities until the suspension starts on Aug. 30.
The defensive end, in his second year, can potentially return to action on Monday, Nov. 2, after the Falcons’ Week 8 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Following that, the Falcons are scheduled to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain. The team’s pass rush has been impacted by Jalon Walker’s season-ending ACL injury, leaving a group that includes Christian Harris, JD Bertrand, Samson Ebukam, Kendal Daniels, and Bralen Trice, with the addition of Cameron Sample after Walker’s injury.
In addition to Pearce, the NFL announced suspensions for three other players on Friday. Dorance Armstrong, an edge rusher for the Commanders, was suspended for one game for violating the personal conduct policy. He will miss the Commanders’ season opener against Philadelphia on Sept. 13. Armstrong, entering his ninth NFL season and third with Washington, had a limited season last year due to a knee ligament tear.
Tennessee Titans safety Nazeeh Johnson received a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancers policy, while Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis was handed a three-game suspension for breaching the substances of abuse policy. Both players are permitted to participate in team activities until Aug. 30, after which roster decisions need to be finalized. Johnson is set to return for the Titans’ game against Cleveland on Oct. 25, while Mathis can be back in action for Buffalo’s match against New England on Oct. 4. Johnson, with three seasons of experience with the Kansas City Chiefs, joined the Titans in July. Mathis, 28 years old, played for Washington before joining the Bills last season.