Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. expected to participate in mandatory minicamp: Source

Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was at the team’s facility Monday in preparation for joining his teammates for this week’s two-day minicamp, according to a team source. He was at the team’s building in Flowery Branch, Ga., to undergo a physical in advance of the minicamp, which begins Tuesday.

Pearce’s status with the team had been in question since a February incident with former girlfriend Rickea Jackson that resulted in three felony charges — for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing the police and resisting an officer with violence — being filed against him. According to an arrest affidavit filed in the case, Pearce followed Jackson’s car for an extended period, intentionally collided with both her front and rear bumpers and attempted to block her access to a Doral (Fla.) police department building.

In May, Pearce entered a 12-month pretrial intervention program that could result in all charges being dropped, but he still faces possible discipline from the NFL. He did not attend any of the team’s voluntary OTA workouts this spring.

First-year Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski declined last week to say whether Pearce would be with the team this week.

“I’ll deal with next week, next week,” he said.

Pearce was the No. 26 pick in the 2025 draft and went on to lead the team and all NFL rookies with 10.5 sacks. He finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Pearce and his attorney, Yale Sanford, are prepared to cooperate with any investigation conducted by the league into Pearce’s case, Sanford said.

“We are 100 percent ready and able to be a part of that and make it as smooth and painless as possible,” he said.