The NFL dished out a hefty punishment for Atlanta Falcons star pass rusher James Pearce Jr. last week, suspending him for the first eight games of the 2026 season without pay. Pearce violated the league's personal conduct policy after being arrested earlier this year following a domestic dispute with his then-girlfriend, Rickea Jackson, a forward for the WNBA's Chicago Sky. Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the suspension on Monday.
"I would tell you I'm very comfortable in us sticking to this process, including what the league is doing in this case, and I'll make sure that we're in total compliance with those types of things," Stefanski said. "I think James, for his part on this football team, has done everything that I've asked him to do, everything that coaches have asked him to do, and we'll just continue to follow the protocols." Stefanski also confirmed that with Pearce's suspension beginning Aug. 30, the team plans to play him in the Falcons' remaining preseason games. "Really just continue to work, to do his job every single day, which he's doing," Stefanski said.
"We'll continue to get him understanding of this scheme and getting better on the grass. Then, play him in these games, let him get those game reps under his belt. Then, we'll deal with the future when it comes." More news: Falcons Get Michael Penix Jr Update as Tua Tagovailoa’s Debut Raises Questions Pearce is the Falcons' best defender and one of the league's premier edge rushers.
With a new head coach, a new system, and potentially a new quarterback under center, playing the first half of the season without a cornerstone piece on defense could prove costly. In his absence, Atlanta will lean on a rotation of pass rushers that includes Azeez Ojulari, Samson Ebukam, and Cameron Thomas. More news: Jets Rookie Suffers Brutal Setback After Strong Preseason Debut More news: Giants Move Fast on New QB After Brandon Allen’s Rough Preseason Opener The Falcons' next preseason game comes Saturday against the Colts in Indianapolis, followed by their preseason finale on Friday, Aug. 28, against the Miami Dolphins.
Pearce won't be eligible to play again until Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals — nearly two months after the regular season kicks off — so getting him as much work as possible now should help keep him sharp and speed his transition into the new defensive scheme against live competition.
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