Overview
- Pearce was not at the team facility on Wednesday as coach Kevin Stefanski opened the voluntary offseason program and confirmed his absence.
- He faces three felony counts and one misdemeanor from a Feb. 7 incident in Doral, Florida, that prosecutors tied to a dispute with ex-girlfriend and WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
- Police reports say he struck Jackson’s car, blocked her path to a station, fled officers, crashed, and was detained, and a judge ordered him to stay away from her.
- A trial hearing is set for May 4 in Miami-Dade County, with a separate hearing on a dating-violence protective order scheduled for May 6.
- Stefanski said the team is in contact with his representatives, the NFL said its personal conduct review is ongoing, and teammates voiced support as the Falcons weigh plans without last season’s 10.5-sack rookie.