Falcons' James Pearce hit with 8-game suspension as NFL announces wave of bans across the league

A flurry of suspensions was announced by the NFL Friday, with James Pearce's eight-game ban the most harsh.

The Atlanta Falcons edge rusher has been embroiled in a domestic dispute and was arrested in February.

Pearce was charged with three felonies for his alleged involvement in a dispute with his girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson. 

Court documents revealed Pearce was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police and resisting an officer with violence to his or her person.