Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Pierce Jr. was arrested Saturday in South Florida, according to a police report, on charges that include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (count 2), aggravated stalking and fleeing or eluding police. Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez said the 23-year-old left the scene of a domestic dispute involving his girlfriend, WNBA player Rikea Jackson, and later crashed his vehicle at Northwest 103rd Street and 66th Avenue, where officers took him into custody.
Pierce was handcuffed at the crash site and subsequently booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County; his bond has not yet been set. The Falcons released a brief statement saying the team is aware of the incident and is collecting more information, but declined further comment on any pending legal matters.
Pierce, a 2025 first-round pick taken 26th overall out of Tennessee, led rookies last season with 10.5 sacks. He finished the 2025 campaign with 26 total tackles (17 solo), 10 quarterback pressures and one forced fumble. The team also noted Pierce had been dealt to the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of last spring’s draft.
Fan Take: This development is significant for NFL fans because it involves a high-profile young pass rusher whose legal troubles could affect his availability and the team’s roster plans. Beyond the immediate personnel impact, incidents like this raise broader questions about player conduct, team accountability and the league’s handling of off-field issues.
