NFL suspends Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. 8 video games

Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. can be suspended for the primary eight video games of the season for violating the league’s private conduct coverage, the league introduced Friday.

Pearce was arrested in February following a home dispute along with his ex-girlfriend, WNBA participant Rickea Jackson. The incident came about in Doral, Florida.

Pearce’s costs of aggravated battery with a lethal weapon, fleeing police and resisting arrest, and misdemeanor stalking could possibly be dropped if he cooperates in a pretrial intervention program requiring random drug checks, distance from Jackson and staying out of authorized bother for one yr.

Pearce can be obtainable to take part in preseason video games and all staff actions till the suspension takes impact on Aug. 30.

The second-year defensive finish could be reinstated on Nov. 2, following Atlanta’s Week 8 sport at Tampa Bay. The Falcons will journey to Madrid to play the Cincinnati Bengals the next week.

The Falcons’ cross rush has taken successful lately following Jalon Walker’s season-ending ACL tear. The group is left with Christian Harris, JD Bertrand, Samson Ebukam, Kendal Daniels and Bralen Trice. The Falcons additionally added Cameron Sample after Walker’s damage.

Atlanta traded again to the No. 26 decide within the first spherical of the 2025 draft to pick out Pearce. The former Tennessee Volunteer has performed a considerable position in reworking the Falcons’ cross rush, main the staff with 10 1/2 sacks throughout his rookie season.

Other suspensions

Pearce was one gamers suspended on Friday.

The NFL additionally suspended Washington Commanders edge rusher Dorance Armstrong, Tennessee Titans security Nazeeh Johnson and Buffalo Bills defensive sort out Phidarian Mathis.

Armstrong was suspended one sport for violating the NFL’s private conduct coverage. He will miss the Commanders’ season opener in opposition to Philadelphia on Sept. 13.

Armstrong opened coaching camp on the bodily unable to carry out record, however has since been activated. He was restricted to enjoying seven video games final season earlier than tearing a knee ligament.

He’s coming into his ninth NFL season and third with Washington.

Johnson was suspended six video games for violating the league’s coverage on performance-enhancers. Mathis was issued a three-game suspension for violating the league’s substances of abuse coverage.

Under league guidelines, the gamers are allowed to follow and play with their respective groups by way of Aug. 30, when NFL groups are required to set their 53-man rosters.

Johnson is eligible to return for the Titans’ residence sport in opposition to Cleveland on Oct. 25. Mathis can return for Buffalo’s residence sport in opposition to New England on Oct. 4.

Johnson has three earlier seasons of NFL expertise, all with the Kansas City Chiefs, and signed with the Titans on July 27, simply earlier than the opening of coaching camp.

The 28-year-old had six begins in 29 NFL video games with the Chiefs since being chosen by Kansas City within the seventh spherical of the 2022 draft. A shoulder damage restricted Johnson to 2 video games final season. He additionally missed the whole 2023 season with a torn ACL in his proper knee.

The 28-year-old Mathis appeared in six video games with the Bills final season. He spent his first three NFL seasons showing in 23 video games with Washington.

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