Falcons' Sack Leader Suspended By Nfl After Felony Weapon Charge

The NFL will take disciplinary action against former Atlanta Falcons first-round pick James Pearce Jr.

Pearce will serve an eight-game suspension to begin the 2026 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy, ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported on Aug. 14. The edge rusher was involved in a domestic incident involving his ex-girlfriend, Chicago Sky forward Rickea Jackson, and arrested in February.

Pearce, 22, agreed to enter a six-month diversion program in April that could resolve multiple felony charges he's facing after the incident, which took place in South Florida: aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police and resisting an officer with violence. He also faced a count of misdemeanor stalking.

Miami-based attorney Yale Sanford told USA TODAY Sports at the time that the diversion program requires Pearce to stay away from Jackson, undergo counseling and submit to drug testing. The program is one "offered to first-time defendants with no prior criminal record," USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell wrote.

JAMES PEARCE JR: Falcons edge rusher agrees to diversion program, felony charges could be dropped

James Pearce Jr.-Rickea Jackson incident details

On Feb. 7, Pearce allegedly drove his car into Jackson's as she tried to drive to a police station to get away from him. Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez said Pearce fled the scene at the police headquarters in Doral, Florida, after driving into Jackson's car, and he crashed his vehicle after fleeing.

Pearce was released from custody a day after the incident on $20,500 bond.

Jackson, a former first-round pick in the WNBA draft, filed a protective order against Pearce after the altercation. In a statement she wrote as part of the injunction for protection, she wrote she was "in fear of my life" and believed "James will kill me" if she were to be left unprotected, according to an ESPN report.

Jackson was granted her initial request, and Pearce's diversion program includes a stay away order from Jackson, according to public court documents.

When will James Pearce Jr. play?

Pearce's suspension will begin on Aug. 30, so he "is eligible to participate in all preseason activities, including games," according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. On Aug. 12, the Falcons released their preseason depth chart, which listed Pearce as a third-string defensive end behind Cameron Thomas and Azeez Ojulari.

That standing is more likely a result of the league's disciplinary action than poor performance. The Falcons' No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft led the team with 10.5 sacks as a rookie.

Atlanta plays its first preseason game against the Denver Broncos on Aug. 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Once Pearce's suspension begins on Aug. 30, he will be eligible for reinstatement on Nov. 2, one day after his team's Week 8 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons' first game with Pearce back would be a Week 9 meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid at Real Madrid stadium Bernabéu.

This story has been updated.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Falcons' sack leader suspended by NFL after felony weapon charge