Atlanta Falcons’ James Pearce Jr., a key edge rusher, is facing an eight-game suspension for breaching the NFL’s personal conduct regulations, as confirmed by the league on Friday. The suspension stems from Pearce’s arrest in February after a domestic altercation with his former girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, in Doral, Florida.
To potentially have his charges dropped, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police, resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking, Pearce must comply with a pretrial intervention program. This program mandates random drug testing, maintaining distance from Jackson, and avoiding legal issues for a year. Despite the impending suspension starting on August 30, Pearce remains eligible to partake in pre-season games and team activities.
Following the Falcons’ Week 8 clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 2, Pearce can seek reinstatement. The Falcons are slated to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain, the following week. The team’s defensive lineup has been impacted by Jalon Walker’s season-ending ACL injury, leaving the pass rush responsibilities to Christian Harris, JD Bertrand, Samson Ebukam, Kendal Daniels, and Bralen Trice, with the recent addition of Cameron Sample.
Notably, Pearce was just one of four players suspended by the NFL on the same day. Dorance Armstrong of the Commanders, Nazeeh Johnson of the Tennessee Titans, and Phidarian Mathis of the Buffalo Bills also faced suspensions for various violations. Armstrong’s suspension is for one game, Johnson’s is for six games due to performance-enhancer policy infringement, and Mathis received a three-game suspension for violating the league’s substances of abuse policy.
Both Johnson and Mathis are allowed to continue practicing and playing with their teams until August 30, the deadline for NFL teams to finalize their 53-player rosters. Johnson is set to return for the Titans’ home game against Cleveland on October 25, while Mathis can rejoin Buffalo for their home game against New England on October 4.
Johnson, with previous experience playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, signed with the Titans shortly before training camp began. Mathis, on the other hand, played for Washington before his stint with the Bills last season.