James Pearce Jr.: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Features

James Pearce Jr. has received a lengthy suspension from the NFL, stemming from his alleged domestic dispute with ex-girlfriend and WNBA star, Rickea Jackson.

NFL News / Field Level Media / August 14

Falcons DE James Pearce Jr. suspended eight games

Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was suspended for eight games for violating the NFL personal conduct policy and won't be in uniform before November.

NFL News / Larry Brown Sports / August 15

Falcons' James Pearce Jr. gets significant suspension from NFL

Atlanta Falcons edge-rusher James Pearce Jr. has received a significant suspension from the NFL stemming from his offseason arrest.

Commanders lose Dorance Armstrong for Week 1 after suspension

Titans CB Nazeeh Johnson handed significant suspension for PEDs

Five-time Pro Bowl defender says he will retire after this season

Lions could cut ties with offseason signing pick after 'up and down' showing

Mike Vrabel blasts Patriots player after dud in preseason debut

Matthew Stafford News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NFL all-time passing leaders' quiz

36 NFL quarterbacks have thrown for over 35,000 passing yards in their careers. How many of the 36 can you name in six minutes?

The 'Most passing-TD's by NFL team' quiz

The 'Most NFL pass completions' quiz

The 'Active 300-yard games leader' quiz

Atlanta Falcons News / Pro Football Rumors / August 14

Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. Handed Eight-Game Suspension

The NFL has acted on the James Pearce Jr. matter. Pearce’s offseason arrest will produce an eight-game suspension, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Pearce will not appeal the ban, according to The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones and Josh Kendall.

NFL News / Yardbarker

Ranking the NFL's backup quarterbacks for the 2026 season

A few trades have rearranged the NFL's backup quarterback ranks, but the dust has mostly settled. From a mix of recent first-round disappointments, aging vets, and young project types, here is how the league's QB2 ranks look for the 2026 season.

Falcons Bracing For Significant Suspension For OLB James Pearce Jr.

Per Josh Kendall of The Athletic, the Falcons don’t appear to be planning on having DE James Pearce Jr. early in the season, as he has mostly worked with the third team thus far during camp.

Atlanta Falcons News / SportsTalkATL / August 10

Which Falcons rookie will be dubbed the steal of the draft?

The Falcons didn’t have a first-round pick in this year’s draft because of the trade to acquire James Pearce Jr. last year, but there’s still a lot of hope this rookie class will make a significant impact in Year 1 — something Atlanta is going to need if it wants any chance of breaking a postseason drought dating back to the 2017 campaign.

Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / June 27

Atlanta Falcons Edge Rusher Could Be NFL's Biggest Bargain In Free Agency

The Atlanta Falcons finally addressed their anemic pass rush in 2025 when they spent not one, but two first-round picks on edge rushers in the NFL Draft.

Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. Likely To Receive Suspension

James Pearce Jr. faced three felony charges earlier this offseason. An arrangement has since been made which will see those charges cleared in the event the Falcons edge rusher finishes a pretrial diversion program.

NFL News / NFLTradeRumors.co / June 24

Way-Too-Early 2027 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

Following the release of my first top 50 big board for the 2027 draft cycle on Monday, it’s time for another way-too-early mock draft. We’ve had a few shakeups since my first back in May: with Myles Garrett now in Los Angeles with the Rams, the Browns have an extra pick.

Atlanta Falcons News / Field Level Media / June 16

Falcons' James Pearce Jr. won't participate in minicamp team sessions

Atlanta Falcons pass rusher James Pearce Jr. won't participate in team drills despite rejoining the team for this week's minicamp. Head coach Kevin Stefanski shared the news Tuesday, confirming earlier reports that Pearce was back with the team for the camp that runs through Thursday.

NFL News / Yardbarker

25 NFL players who could retire after the 2026 season

NFL stars can't play forever, and retirement is coming sooner than later for some of the league's top players. These 25 players could call it quits following the 2026 season.

Atlanta Falcons News / Field Level Media / June 15

DE James Pearce Jr. to attend Falcons' minicamp

James Pearce Jr. was at the Falcons' facility on Monday to undergo a physical before the start of Atlanta's mandatory minicamp this week. The 22-year-old pass rusher was not with the team for voluntary workouts in the spring due to off-field issues.

Atlanta Falcons News / SportsTalkATL / June 15

Report: James Pearce Jr. expected to be present for Falcons mandatory minicamp

According to Fox 5, Falcons star pass rusher James Pearce Jr. will be in attendance at mandatory minicamp this week. In late May, it was reported that the charges against James Pearce Jr.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'FBS animal nicknames' quiz

The 'Most lefty-homers in a season' quiz

The 'Active 150-yard NFL rushers' quiz

The '10K-yard, 80-TD NFL receivers' quiz

Atlanta Falcons News / Field Level Media / May 26

Reports: Falcons' James Pearce Jr. accepts 1-year intervention program

Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. agreed to participate in a one-year intervention program that, if completed successfully, will result in the dismissal of three felony charges, according to multiple reports Tuesday.

Atlanta Falcons News / SportsTalkATL / May 26

More details revealed in case of James Pearce Jr.

The Falcons have been radio silent when peppered with questions about James Pearce Jr. and his ongoing legal battle, but Andy Slater of Fox Sports South Florida has been on the story from the beginning and delivered the latest update on the situation.

Atlanta Falcons News / SportsTalkATL / April 23

A lot still unresolved between Falcons and James Pearce Jr.

A bombshell dropped on the morning of Day 1 of the NFL Draft, as Andy Slater of Fox Sports South Florida reported that all felony charges against James Pearce Jr.

Atlanta Falcons News / NFL on ClutchPoints / April 6

Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. not expected at offseason workout after arrest

The Atlanta Falcons have struggled with the James Pearce Jr. situation. But they’ve added some help at his position. Still, Pearce isn’t expected at offseason workouts after his arrest, according to a post on X by Ian Rapoport.

Atlanta Falcons News / Pro Football Rumors / April 6

Unclear If James Pearce Jr. Will Report To Falcons’ Offseason Program

Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. is the subject of three felony charges. As such, his immediate and long-term futures remain unclear at this point.

Atlanta Falcons News / Pro Football Rumors / March 14

Falcons OLB James Pearce Jr. Now Faces Three Felony Charges

In the latest update to the legal situation surrounding Falcons rookie outside linebacker James Pearce Jr., ESPN’s Marc Raimondi and Michael Rothstein note that Pearce’s five pending felony arrest charges will be reduced to three.

Atlanta Falcons News / Yardbarker / February 12

Falcons DC addresses James Pearce Jr. situation

The Falcons are facing uncertainty regarding their star defender as he faces concerning legal trouble.

Report: Rickea Jackson willing to testify against Pearce Jr.

More details emerge in Pearce Jr. arrest

Pearce Jr. allegedly hit a WNBA player's car during chase

Ex-NFLer Darron Lee facing first-degree murder charge; death penalty in play

NFL News / Larry Brown Sports / February 9

James Pearce Jr. allegedly hit a WNBA player’s car during chase

Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. allegedly crashed his car into WNBA player Rickea Jackson’s vehicle multiple times while chasing after her. In a criminal complaint obtained by Marc Raimondi of ESPN, Pearce is accused of following Jackson’s vehicle in his SUV on Saturday in Miami-Dade County, Fla.

Atlanta Falcons News / A to Z Sports / February 9

Atlanta Falcons prepare for potential life after James Pearce Jr., overhaul the defensive line in 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft

The Atlanta Falcons were dealt some horrible news recently with the arrest of last year's first round selection James Pearce Jr.. The talented pass rusher put together an outstanding rookie year, collecting 10.5 sacks.

Atlanta Falcons News / Yardbarker / February 8

Falcons address concerning allegations against James Pearce Jr.

Atlanta Falcons rookie pass rusher James Pearce Jr. is facing serious allegations after an incident in Florida.

Pearce arrested on battery charges

Pearce’s teammates' comments surface after arrest

Pearce posts bond after alleged dispute with WNBA player

Atlanta Falcons News / EasySportz / January 6

James Pearce Jr. Is the Clear NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Falcons rookie’s speed, pressure and production reshaped Atlanta’s defense and rewrote the franchise record book Atlanta’s defense did not just improve this season — it transformed.

Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / December 18

James Pearce Jr. Doing Something 'Borderline Historic' In Outstanding Rookie Season

FLOWERY BRANCH – The Atlanta Falcons made a well-documented move last spring to acquire James Pearce Jr., and needless to say, the early returns have been well worth the gamble.

Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / December 12

Louis Riddick Doubles Down on James Pearce Jr. Bold Prediction

The Atlanta Falcons took not one but two pass rushers in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Through 14 games, it has worked for the Falcons, as the

Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / December 2

Falcons' James Pearce Jr. Forcing His Way Into DROY Conversation

FLOWERY BRANCH – The Atlanta Falcons made a rather big bet on edge rusher James Pearce Jr. in last spring’s NFL Draft. Through 13 weeks of his rookie season, it would appear that their gamble has started paying off. Atlanta doesn’t own its first-round pick next spring, and that will generate plenty of noise from fans and pundits.