Falcon’s James Pearce Jr. Suspended 8 Games By NFL For Stalking Incident Involving Ex, WNBA Star Rickea Jackson

Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has been suspended for the first eight games of the 2026 NFL season for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy, the NFL announced this week. The suspension begins August 30 and runs through the Falcons’ Week 8 game, with Pearce eligible for reinstatement on November 2.

Why Was James Pearce Jr. Suspended?

The ban stems from a February arrest near Miami, where Pearce was taken into custody following a domestic dispute involving his ex-girlfriend, WNBA forward Rickea Jackson. He was charged with three felonies — aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence — along with a misdemeanor stalking count.

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Pearce did not appeal the NFL’s ruling, making the eight-game suspension final. Per league policy, he remains eligible to participate in all Falcons preseason activities, including exhibition games, before the suspension takes effect for the regular season.

Legal Status Still Pending

Court proceedings are separate from the NFL’s discipline. In April, Pearce agreed to a six-month pretrial intervention program, a deal that could lead to the felony and misdemeanor charges being dropped entirely if he satisfies the program’s conditions. That timeline runs roughly parallel to his NFL suspension, meaning both matters could resolve around the same point in the season.

Impact on the Falcons

Pearce, 22, was a key part of Atlanta’s pass rush after being selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. With the suspension looming, the Falcons had already begun adjusting their depth chart, listing Pearce as a third-string option heading into the season. His absence for roughly half the schedule forces Atlanta to lean more heavily on its other edge rushers as the team looks to stay competitive in a tight NFC South race.

Pearce is expected back in the lineup in early November, giving the Falcons a second-half boost if he returns to form. Until then, his case remains a storyline to watch — both for its impact on Atlanta’s defense and for how the pending legal proceedings play out over the coming months.