Jeff Ulbrich Doesn’t Know If Falcons Can Count on James Pearce Jr. in 2026

Atlanta Falcons’ linebacker James Pearce was arrested and charged with five counts of felony and a misdemeanor last week

Jeff Ulbrich Doesn’t Know If Falcons Can Count on James Pearce Jr. in 2026

Jeff Ulbrich, James Pearce Jr. (Images via AJC/Los Angeles Times)

In Short
  • Jeff Ulbrich expressed uncertainty about James Pearce Jr.'s future with the Falcons following his recent arrest on multiple felony charges.
  • Pearce faces serious allegations including aggravated battery and fleeing from police after a domestic dispute involving Rickea Jackson.
  • Rickea Jackson plans to testify against Pearce, who denies the accusations and has been released on bail with conditions to stay away from her.

The Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, isn’t sure of edge rusher James Pearce Jr’s availability after the recent formal accusations made against him. The Charlotte-native was arrested around a week back near Miami and charged with five felonies and a misdemeanor.

The charges included fleeing the Doral police after they were called, reporting a domestic dispute with Los Angeles Sparks small forward Rickea Jackson. According to the arrest details in the complaint/arrest affidavit obtained by The Associated Press on Monday, Pearce allegedly refused an initial order to “get on the floor” from the police and drove away before crashing and eventually being arrested following a “short struggle”.

Along with fleeing from police despite active lights and sirens, he faces two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, as well as charges of aggravated stalking and aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer.

Addressing the issue in a media interaction, Ulbrich noted that he was “obviously dissapointed” when he heard of the edge rusher’s arrest. He also informed that there’s little information about how long he will be out of the field of play. Ulbrich said:

It’s an unfortunate situation. Just don’t have all the details of it yet and where this thing will go, so we’ll see. It’s still so early. We’re not there yet either way.

Meanwhile, the Falcons’ head coach, Kevin Stefanski, maintained that there’s not much to add from what was put out by the management. Stefanski said during Wednesday’s press conference:

The James Pearce situation, there’s really nothing to add. Our coaches will defer to the statement that was put out. So, respectfully, I understand there are questions, but we don’t have much to add there.

The Falcons, looking for a playoff berth for almost a decade, had traded up last year to draft Pearce. He was one of the lone shining stars of their 8-9 season with 10.5 sacks and finished third in DROY voting. The latest advancement is indeed a big blow to their 2026 offseason plans.

According to the NFL’s Personal Conduct policies, actual or threatened violence towards their partner or against any person, aggressive stalking, is considered a violation. They often consider suspending a player for a few games or even terminating their contracts. The league also takes into consideration the damage done to the league’s reputation while assessing the violations.

Rickea Jackson plans to testify against James Pearce Jr. in court

Rickea Jackson, whom Pearce was dating for three years, called it quits on their relationship a while back. She reportedly blocked him, but he continued to contact her using a different number. According to police, Jackson complained that Pearce was following her in his car since the morning and even attempted to open her car door at a stoplight.

James Pearce Jr.
James Pearce Jr. (Image via Knoxville News Sentinel)

He then allegedly rammed his SUV into the back of Jackson’s vehicle as she tried to escape and drive toward the Doral police station to seek assistance before officers arrived at the scene. She has now informed that she’s willing to testify, through her legal team, Gary F. Celetti and Wendy A.L. Beswick.

The attorneys said that Jackson “remains cooperative and willing to testify at trial, if one is necessary.” They added that “the victim is pleading with the Court and the State to conclude this matter promptly without hindering the efficacy of the prosecution’s case.“

Jackson, who has been in Miami for the second season of the Unrivaled has reportedly opted out of the one-on-one tournament. She was no longer listed as a participant in the updated list of players in the tournament. It’s not known whether she’ll be available for the 3-on-3 plays.

Meanwhile, Pearce’s lawyers, Jacob Nunez, Yale Sanford and Joshua Cohen, said in a statement that he denies the accusations. Furthermore, they asked the public to remember that allegations can influence public perception but do not necessarily present the entire truth of what happened.

Earlier, he was released from Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center after posting the bail of $20,500 and a warning to stay away from Jackson.

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