Atlanta Falcons’ James Pearce Jr., a key edge rusher, faces an eight-game suspension at the start of the 2026 season due to a breach of the league’s personal conduct regulations, as reported by the NFL on Friday. The suspension stems from Pearce’s arrest in February following a dispute with his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, in Doral, Florida.
Pending his participation in a pretrial intervention program, which includes random drug tests, maintaining a distance from Jackson, and staying clear of legal issues for a year, Pearce could see his charges of aggravated battery, fleeing police, resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking dropped. Until his suspension commences on August 30, Pearce will be eligible for pre-season games and team activities.
Following the Falcons’ Week 8 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 2, Pearce can seek reinstatement. The team will then face the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain. The Falcons’ defense has been impacted by Jalon Walker’s season-ending injury, leaving players like Christian Harris, JD Bertrand, Samson Ebukam, Kendal Daniels, and Bralen Trice to step up, with Cameron Sample being added post-Walker’s injury.
In addition to Pearce, the NFL handed out suspensions to three other players on Friday. The Commanders’ Dorance Armstrong received a one-game suspension for breaching the league’s personal conduct policy, making him unavailable for the season opener against Philadelphia on September 13. Armstrong, entering his ninth NFL season and third with Washington, previously dealt with a knee injury that limited his playtime last season.
Furthermore, the Titans’ Nazeeh Johnson faced a six-game suspension for violating performance-enhancing substance policies, while the Bills’ Phidarian Mathis received a three-game suspension for infringing on substance abuse regulations. Both players are allowed to continue training and playing with their teams until August 30, when teams must finalize their 53-player rosters. Johnson is set to return for the Titans’ game against Cleveland on October 25, while Mathis can make a comeback for Buffalo’s match against New England on October 4.
Johnson, with three seasons of NFL experience with the Kansas City Chiefs, joined the Titans recently in July. He struggled with injuries, including a torn ACL, limiting his game time in previous seasons. Mathis, a 28-year-old player, appeared in six games for the Bills last season after playing for Washington in his initial three NFL seasons.