Falcons rookie faces multiple charges after leading officers on chase following domestic incident, police say

James Pearce Jr., a rising prima with the Atlanta Falcons who astir won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, was arrested adjacent Miami connected Saturday aft fleeing officers and crashing his car pursuing what constabulary said was a home quality with his WNBA girlfriend.

Pearce was booked into the Turner Guilford Correctional Center aft Doral constabulary were called to analyse a reported home quality betwixt a antheral and a woman.

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. (27) is interviewed aft an NFL shot crippled against the New Orleans Saints, connected Jan. 4, 2026, successful Atlanta.  (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)

The 22-year-old is facing charges of 2 counts of aggravated artillery with a deadly limb arsenic good arsenic aggravated stalking and fleeing oregon eluding constabulary with lights oregon siren.

The Falcons said they were alert of the arrest.

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Atlanta Falcons borderline James Pearce Jr. (27) reacts aft a antiaircraft halt successful the archetypal 4th against the Carolina Panthers astatine Mercedes-Benz Stadium connected Nov. 16, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)

"We are alert of an incidental involving James Pearce Jr. successful Miami," the Falcons said successful a statement. "We are successful the process of gathering much accusation and volition not person immoderate further remark connected an unfastened ineligible substance astatine this time."

Atlanta selected Pearce with the No. 26 wide prime of the 2025 NFL Draft retired of Tennessee.

He played successful 17 games for the Falcons during his rookie season. He recorded 10.5 sacks and 26 full tackles.

Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. (27) against the Arizona Cardinals astatine State Farm Stadium connected Dec. 21, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

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Pearce finished 3rd successful Defensive Rookie of the Year voting down victor Carson Schwesinger, of the Cleveland Browns, and Seattle Seahawks information Nick Emmanwori.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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