Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. has been suspended for eight games by the NFL, which takes him out for nearly half of the 2026 season. If you're wondering why? It's because he violated the league's personal conduct policy.
Per USA TODAY Sports, that stems from an incident in February of this year involving WNBA player Rickea Jackson, who currently plays for the Chicago Sky. Per documents from the Miami-Dade County court, he was charged with three felonies (Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police and resisting an officer with violence) and a misdemeanor (stalking).
More from USA TODAY Sports: "Jackson filed a protective order ... and said she was 'in fear of my life' and believed 'James will kill me' after the Feb. 7 incident in which Pearce allegedly drove his vehicle into hers while she was attempting to flee to a police station in Doral, Florida."
In April, Pearce "agreed Thursday to a six-month diversion program that could wipe out the multiple felony charges he faces," wrote USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell.
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the suspension starts on Aug. 30 and he can be eligible to be reinstated on Nov. 2.

#february