Falcons' James Pearce Jr. granted intervention program entry, could avoid trial on felony charges

A imaginable way has emerged to resoluteness Atlanta Falcons walk rusher James Pearce Jr.’s ineligible saga. On Thursday, nan NFL Defensive Rookie of nan Year finalist was granted introduction into an involution programme that could let him to debar proceedings connected respective felony charges, his attorney, Yale Sanford, told ESPN.

Pearce faces charges of aggravated battery pinch a deadly weapon, fleeing constabulary and resisting arrest, on pinch misdemeanor stalking tied to a February incident successful Florida. The stalking complaint stems from alleged events involving his ex-girlfriend, WNBA prima Rickea Jackson.

Under nan position of nan involution program, Pearce is prohibited from having beingness interaction pinch Jackson and must acquisition therapy. The programme is overseen by a 3rd party, not nan NFL.

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. warms up earlier nan crippled against nan New England Patriots astatine Gillette Stadium connected Nov. 2, 2025. (Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images)

Pearce has a tribunal quality early adjacent period to finalize nan details. Under Florida law, Jackson and nan officers progressive person nan correct to beryllium consulted earlier nan statement is finalized.

A authorities attorney’s spokesperson said Jackson and rule enforcement officers were consulted and that "all parties consented" to pretrial involution arsenic "the champion measurement forward."

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The adjunct authorities lawyer connected nan lawsuit said Pearce’s position arsenic a first-time offender was taken into consideration, adding that "it appears this incident was borne retired of a intelligence wellness crisis." Pearce does not person a history of violence.

Pearce must proceed treatment, taxable to random supplier tests and travel nan NFL’s testing protocol. Any grounded aliases missed trial could costs him his spot successful nan pretrial involution program, and he must besides constitute a missive apologizing to rule enforcement, nan spokesperson added.

The squad declined to remark connected nan latest development, citing nan ongoing ineligible matter, ESPN reported. Attorneys for Jackson could not beryllium instantly reached for comment.

Pearce is accused of ramming his luxury SUV into a conveyance driven by Jackson connected Feb. 7 successful Doral, Florida. He past allegedly fled from police arsenic they attempted to apprehension him.

Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. is interviewed aft an NFL crippled against nan New Orleans Saints successful Atlanta connected Jan. 4, 2026. (Danny Karnik/AP)

Pearce allegedly tailed Jackson and many times struck her conveyance arsenic she drove toward nan Doral constabulary station. He spent a nighttime successful jailhouse earlier his merchandise nan adjacent time connected $20,500 bond.

In February, Jackson told nan tribunal she was consenting to testify.

The tribunal granted nan protection petition and scheduled a May 21 proceeding connected a imperishable injunction. The bid prohibits Pearce from contacting Jackson, coming wrong 500 feet of her location aliases workplace, aliases wrong 100 feet of her vehicle.

Rickea Jackson said she is consenting to attest against James Pearce Jr. pursuing an alleged home dispute. (Andrew J. Clark/Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

After reaching an agreement, Pearce’s attorneys said nan result allows him to move guardant without further ineligible action.

"This solution allows nan matter to beryllium addressed and afloat resolved without further litigation, and he is committed to gathering each conditions. James is focused connected moving forward, rejoining his teammates and nan Atlanta Falcons statement arsenic a whole, performing astatine nan highest level, and continuing to beryllium a squad subordinate connected and disconnected nan field," nan connection read.

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Also connected Thursday, a spokesperson for nan NFL confirmed that nan convention has been "closely monitoring each developments successful nan matter, which remains nether reappraisal of nan individual behaviour policy."

Pearce group nan Falcons’ rookie sack grounds pinch 10.5 past season. The Los Angeles Sparks traded Jackson to nan Chicago Sky earlier this month.

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