NFL Suspends Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. For Eight Games

James Pearce Jr. was arrested in February following a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson.

The NFL announced it has suspended a player for the first eight games of the season.

Atlanta Falcons’ edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was suspended for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. He was arrested in February following a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson.

Pearce’s charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police and resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking could be dropped if he cooperates in a pretrial intervention program requiring random drug tests, distance from Jackson and staying out of legal trouble for one year.

Pearce will be available to participate in preseason games and all team activities until the suspension takes effect on Aug. 30. The second-year defensive end can be reinstated on Nov. 2.