Former Tennessee football defensive end James Pearce, entering his second year with the Atlanta Falcons, will serve an eight game suspension to begin the 2026 NFL season for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
Pearce did not appeal his suspension, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said Aug. 14.
He will be eligible to return to action when the Falcons play the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain, on Nov. 8.
Pearce, 22, is facing multiple felony charges for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police and resisting arrest, plus a misdemeanor stalking charge. They stem from an incident on Feb. 7 involving former girlfriend Rickea Jackson, a forward for the Chicago Sky who starred for the Lady Vols during her college career at Tennessee.
What led to Pearce's arrest in February
Pearce was arrested in Doral, Florida, on Feb. 7, according to the police report obtained by Knox News. Jackson told police that that Pearce had followed her in his car and, at a red light, got out of his vehicle and attempted to open her car door.
Jackson drove away and toward the Doral Police Department. She told police Pearce followed her and collided with the back of her car, then struck the front as she attempted to get away.
Doral police responded to a call for help from Jackson. An officer drew a gun on Pearce and ordered him to get to the ground, but Pearce got back into his car and closed the door and drove away. His car struck an officer in the knee as he drove off.
Pearce crashed his vehicle while being chased by police after he fled the scene. Pearce crashed his car and fled on foot, but police eventually caught up with him, resisting arrest when officers caught up to him.
Rickea Jackson feared for her life following incident
Jackson and Pearce had been in a relationship during their time at Tennessee but it had ended before the incident, she told police.
Jackson said in a notice filed in Miami-Dade County Court by her attorneys on Feb. 10 that she was willing to testify if the case against Pearce goes to trial. On March 11, Jackson filed a petition for protection against Pearce, saying "James will kill me," if the court didn't intervene.
The court granted Jackson's request for protection, ordering Pearce not to contact Jackson or come within 500 feet of her home or place of employment or within 100 feet of her vehicle.
Pearce entered a six-month diversion program. If he stays out of legal trouble for one year and stays away from Jackson, the charges will be dropped.
Appearing in 39 games over three seasons played from 2022-24 for the Vols, Pearce recorded 19.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss and an interception.
Pearce had 10.5 sacks last season and finished third in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Former Tennessee star James Pearce suspended eight games by NFL related to arrest