Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce was suspended for eight video games by the NFL on Friday after an offseason domestic-violence arrest, in line with ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Pearce, 22, was arrested in February and charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a lethal weapon, in addition to aggravated stalking, fleeing or eluding police with lights or siren, aggravated battery involving a regulation enforcement officer, and resisting an officer with out violence to his individual.
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A type of counts of aggravated battery with a lethal weapon was dropped in March, leaving Pearce with 4 costs.
Pearce was arrested following an incident together with his ex-girlfriend, WNBA participant Rickea Jackson. Pearce allegedly stalked Jackson after which triggered a collision after pursuing Jackson in a automobile. Jackson was making an attempt to achieve a police station on the time of the collision.
Pearce then reportedly fled from police in his automobile, resulting in a chase. After crashing his car, Pearce reportedly fled on foot earlier than he was arrested.
In April, it was reported that Pearce would enter a pre-trial intervention program. If Pearce met the situations of that program — which embrace staying away from Jackson — all costs in opposition to the linebacker may reportedly be dropped. Pearce would face “no jail time and no request for forgiveness” if he completes this system, per NFL Community.
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At the moment, it was reported that the NFL was “carefully monitoring” Pearce’s state of affairs. The NFL can take disciplinary motion in opposition to a participant even when they don’t seem to be charged with a criminal offense.
Following his offseason arrest, Pearce missed time throughout OTAs. However he was in a position to take part within the Falcons’ coaching camp when it opened.
The linebacker will have the ability to play in all of Atlanta’s preseason video games, and his suspension will start in Week 1. He’ll first be eligible to return in Week 9 when the Falcons tackle the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid.
Pearce, who was chosen by the Falcons with the No. 26 general choose within the 2025 NFL Draft, turned in a robust rookie season, racking up 10.5 sacks over 17 video games. He completed third within the Defensive Rookie of the Yr voting final season.
