Atlanta, Georgia: Falcons Release Ivey and Jackson as James Pearce Jr. Returns From Suspension

The Atlanta Falcons released edge rushers Jared Ivey and Drake Jackson on Monday, making room on the 53 man roster on the same day James Pearce Jr. was reinstated after serving an eight game suspension, Reuters reported through Field Level Media.

Pearce is reinstated

Pearce, 23, was suspended for violating the NFL personal conduct policy. He was arrested near Miami in February and charged with aggravated stalking and two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was also charged with fleeing police, resisting an officer without violence and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer. The resisting charge was later changed to resisting an officer with violence, a felony. The aggravated stalking charge was changed to a misdemeanor, and the battery of a law enforcement officer charge was dropped, Reuters reported.

Pearce entered into a diversion program as part of a plea agreement. According to a police report from the incident, he had pursued his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, in a separate vehicle, struck the vehicle she was driving and fled when officers arrived, Reuters reported.

Falcons Wire, citing ESPN's Marc Raimondi, reported that Pearce's eight game suspension has officially been lifted by the NFL, but that he has not yet been activated. The expectation is that he will be back on the roster sometime this week. Even with Pearce returning, Atlanta still has another roster spot open.

The pass rush Atlanta is getting back

Pearce was a first round draft pick in 2025. As a rookie he recorded 10.5 sacks and one forced fumble, and he finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. That production is what Atlanta has missed. The Falcons are 3-5 after a 16-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, and their defense is already short handed. Atlanta had already ruled edge rusher Samson Ebukam out for the Week 9 game with a hamstring injury.

Who left the roster

Ivey, a Georgia native who played at North Gwinnett High School and in college at Georgia Tech and Ole Miss, appeared in seven games for the Falcons this season. He recorded eight tackles, one sack and two quarterback hits, Falcons Wire reported. Ivey began his career with the Seattle Seahawks, played two games there in 2025, and was claimed off waivers by Atlanta on Sept. 1. He played 17 snaps in Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.

Jackson, 25, is a former second round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, taken by the San Francisco 49ers. He recorded 21 tackles, six sacks and one interception in his first two seasons in San Francisco, then missed all of 2024 with an injury. He landed with the Washington Commanders in 2025. Washington waived him with an injury designation, and Atlanta signed him to its practice squad on Sept. 16. He played in two games for the Falcons and did not record a stat, Reuters reported.

What is next

Atlanta plays the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in Madrid, Spain, in Week 9. Pearce is expected to be added back to the roster during the week, and the Falcons still have one more open spot after releasing two edge rushers and getting one back.