Flowery Branch, Ga – Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has returned for Atlanta Falcons minicamp. Being that this is his first time back with the team since the end of the 2026 season, head coach Kevin Stefanski and the organization has decided to bring him back slowly.
Stefanski didn’t disclose any information as far as if the league contacted them about a possible suspension or not, but he did discuss why they planned to bring him back for minicamp..
“I think throughout every situation, you take all the information available to you,” stated Stefanski.”This being our mandatory portion of our program, he will do individual work.”
Pearce avoided a trial stemming from the felony charges that was pressed against from an alleged domestic incident. Stefanski feels that it will be unfair for him to jump right into team activities on the field.
“He’s not going to do team settings, team period type stuff yet,” Stefanski said. “I just feel like with him not being here for the off-season program to date, I don’t think it’s fair to put him in those type of drills, but he will be out there.”
This is a strong indication that Pearce is still wanted by the Falcons.
The Falcons and Pearce will have to wait on a decision by the NFL about his fate as far as any suspension he will have to serve or not.
As for Pearce, Stefanski and the Falcons will make sure he is prepared mentally and physically when the time comes to being able to return to the field on Sundays.
