NFL Suspends Falcons Edge Rusher Pearce for Eight Games Following Domestic Violence Arrest

The National Football League announced a series of player suspensions Friday, with Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce receiving the stiffest penalty at eight games. Pearce’s suspension stems from his February arrest near Miami, where he faced three felony charges including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence.

The incident involved WNBA player Rickea Jackson, whom police identified as Pearce’s girlfriend. According to a criminal complaint from the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office, Pearce allegedly followed Jackson in a white luxury vehicle before intentionally colliding with her car head-on near the Doral Police Department. He then reportedly struck a police officer while attempting to flee the scene in his vehicle.

Jackson, a 2024 All-Rookie team honoree with the Los Angeles Sparks, told authorities she noticed Pearce pursuing her and drove toward the police station for safety. When a Doral officer attempted to apprehend Pearce by drawing his weapon, the Falcons rookie allegedly returned to his car and drove away from the scene.

Pearce had emerged as a standout performer during his 2025 rookie season with the Falcons and was a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year before the suspension announcement. Three additional players received suspensions Friday: Tennessee Titans defensive back Nazeeh Johnson for six games due to performance-enhancing substance violations, Washington Commanders edge rusher Dorance Armstrong for one game for personal conduct policy violations, and Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis for three games for substance abuse policy violations.