Archive · 15 Aug 2026
NFL suspends Falcons' Pearce eight games in domestic violence case
James Pearce Jr. is a football player for the Atlanta Falcons.
The NFL, the league he plays in, decided he cannot play in the first eight games of the season.
This is because of something that happened in February.
Police say he used his car to hit the car of his ex-girlfriend, Rickea Jackson, who plays basketball in the WNBA.
Ms. Jackson said she was scared for her life.
James was arrested and faced serious charges.
He joined a special program called pretrial intervention in May.
If he stays out of trouble for a year, the charges will be dropped.
So the NFL suspended him, but he can still practice and play in preseason games.
He can return to play on November 2.
The NFL suspended Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. for the first eight games of the 2026 regular season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.
The suspension stems from his February 7 arrest in Doral, Florida on domestic violence-related charges involving WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
Police allege Pearce used his vehicle to ram Jackson's car as she tried to reach a police station; he later crashed his car and fled on foot.
Pearce, 22, faced felony charges including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and entered a pretrial intervention program in May under which the charges will be dropped if he completes the terms.
The ban begins August 30 and Pearce is eligible for reinstatement on November 2, and he remains available for preseason practices and games.
- Who
- James Pearce Jr., edge rusher for the Atlanta Falcons, and WNBA player Rickea Jackson, who was involved in the February incident.
- What
- The NFL suspended Pearce for the first eight games of the 2026 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy over the domestic violence case.
- When
- The ruling was announced on Friday, August 14; the suspension begins August 30, and Pearce is eligible for reinstatement on November 2.
- Where
- Doral, Florida, where the February 7 incident occurred.
- Why
- The suspension stems from Pearce's February arrest on domestic violence-related charges involving his ex-girlfriend Rickea Jackson.
- Player
- James Pearce Jr.
- Team
- Atlanta Falcons
- Suspension
- First 8 games of the 2026 regular season
- Suspension begins
- August 30
- Eligible for reinstatement
- November 2
- Incident
- February 7, Doral, Florida
- Charges
- Felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police, resisting arrest; misdemeanor stalking
- Pretrial intervention
- Entered in May; charges dropped after one year if conditions are met