Atlanta Falcons running back James Pearce Jr. sat out Monday for his physical ahead of this week’s mandatory minicamp, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Pearce’s return to the team comes after he agreed in April to take part in a pretrial intervention program to resolve three counts against him stemming from a February felony charge against his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
Atlanta wrapped up the voluntary portion of its offseason schedule last Thursday and begins its three-day mandatory program on Tuesday.
Pearce, 22, was arrested near Miami on February 7 after the incident with Jackson. Pearce was charged with three counts — aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police and resisting an officer with violence — as well as a stalking charge.
Pearce was not at the Falcons’ free practice in early April.
In late April, Pearce entered a six-month pretrial intervention program that could lead to all charges being dismissed if all conditions are met. The deal, which includes no jail time and no guilty plea, was negotiated between Jackson and the city of Doral, Florida.
Pearce is entering his second season in the NFL after being selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The edge rusher from Tennessee was the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist after leading the Falcons with 10.5 sacks and 16 QB hits.