Falcons Address Allegations Against Rookie Pass Rusher

James Pearce Jr. faces serious charges after incident in Florida

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Atlanta Falcons rookie pass rusher James Pearce Jr. is facing concerning allegations after an incident in Miami, Florida. Pearce is accused of intentionally crashing his car into his ex-girlfriend's car multiple times and then driving into a police officer in an effort to flee the scene, leading to a police chase. The Falcons have released a statement saying they are gathering more information on the open legal matter.

Why it matters

Pearce was the Falcons' first-round draft pick in 2026 and had a promising rookie season, recording 10.5 sacks. These allegations, if true, could jeopardize his NFL career and raise questions about the Falcons' player vetting process.

The details

According to reports, Pearce is accused of trying to stop his ex-girlfriend, Rickea Jackson, a WNBA player, from getting to a police station. He is facing charges of aggravated stalking, fleeing or eluding police, and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute between Pearce and Jackson.

  • On February 8, 2026, Pearce was arrested and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Florida.

The players

James Pearce Jr.

A rookie pass rusher for the Atlanta Falcons who was the team's first-round draft pick in 2026.

Rickea Jackson

A forward for the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks and the ex-girlfriend of James Pearce Jr.

Atlanta Falcons

The NFL team that drafted James Pearce Jr. and has released a statement regarding the allegations against him.

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What they’re saying

“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr. in Miami. We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”

— Atlanta Falcons (NFL.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on whether to grant Pearce Jr. bail as the legal process continues.

The takeaway

This incident raises serious concerns about Pearce Jr.'s off-field behavior and could jeopardize his NFL career if the allegations are proven true. It also highlights the importance of thorough player vetting by teams to avoid drafting players with potential character issues.