Falcons LB James Pearce Jr. arrested on battery charges

Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker James Pearce Jr. was arrested on two counts of aggravated battery, among other charges, in Florida on Saturday, according to an online court posting.

Pearce, 22, was arrested in Miami-Dade County, Doral police chief Edwin Lopez confirmed to Local 10 News. Pearce also was charged with a count of aggravated stalking, and with fleeing and eluding police officers, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer without violence to his person.

He's being accused of intentionally crashing his Lamborghini into his ex-girlfriend's car multiple times in an attempt to stop her from going to a police station, per a report from Fox Sports South Florida. He then attempted to flee law enforcement in his vehicle.

"We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami," the Falcons said in a prepared statement. "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 selected Pearce with the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. It was announced Thursday night at NFL Honors that he finished third in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

He finished the 2025 season with 10.5 sacks -- the most by a rookie since Micah Parsons (13) for Dallas in 2021 -- 10 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and five pass breakups.

--Field Level Media