ESPN’s Marc Raimondi reports that the NFL suspended Falcons EDGE James Pearce for the first eight regular season games.
The NFL determined that Pearce violated the league’s Personal Conduct Policy. He will be suspended without pay, but is allowed to participate in all preseason activities, including games. The suspension begins on August 30th, and he will be eligible for reinstatement on November 2nd. The Falcons go on bye in Week 11, so Week 9 marks his earliest possible return to the field. Pearce was arrested in February and initially charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence to his or her person.