NFL suspends four players starting Aug. 30

Football League said Friday it will suspend four players for policy violations, with all discipline scheduled to begin on August 30 as teams move toward final roster decisions ahead of the regular season.

The sanctions involve players from the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Commanders. The league said the cases are separate and fall under three different frameworks: the personal conduct policy, the performance-enhancing substances policy, and the substance abuse policy.

Longest penalty goes to Falcons’ James Pearce Jr.

Atlanta Falcons pass rusher James Pearce Jr. received the most significant discipline: an eight-game suspension for violating the personal conduct policy, the league said. The NFL stated the suspension will start on August 30 and that Pearce is eligible to apply for reinstatement on November 2. According to details included in the league’s announcement, Pearce was arrested on February 7 following an incident involving his then-girlfriend and her vehicle. The NFL cited charges of aggravated battery, fleeing from police, and resisting an officer. Officials said Pearce entered a pre-trial intervention program. Under the terms described, the charges are set to be dismissed once the program is completed and six months pass without incident, with both the victim and law enforcement agreeing to that resolution.

Early-season roster pressure for Atlanta’s pass rush

Pearce was a Defensive Rookie of the Year Pearce’s absence creates an immediate availability issue on the edge for the Falcons at the start of the schedule. Pearce was a Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist and produced 10.5 sacks in his first NFL season, making his suspension a notable loss for Atlanta’s front. The situation is compounded by a separate personnel setback: pass rusher Jalon Walker sustained a torn ACL during training camp, and the injury was described as season-ending. Together, the suspension and the injury leave Atlanta short-handed at a key position group as the season approaches. Substance-related bans for Titans and Bills The league also announced a six-game suspension for Tennessee Titans cornerback Nazeeh Johnson for violating the performance-enhancing substances policy. The NFL said the six-game ban will take effect on August 30.

For the Buffalo Bills, defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis was suspended for three games under the substance abuse policy, the league said. In its statement, the NFL noted that Mathis is a former second-round draft pick.

Commanders’ Dorance Armstrong Jr. suspended one game

Washington Commanders pass rusher Dorance Armstrong Jr. received a one-game suspension for violating the personal conduct policy, the league said. That is the shortest penalty among the four cases announced Friday.

Preseason participation permitted; two separate reviews ongoing The NFL said all four players may participate in preseason practices and games before the suspensions formally begin on August 30. The league’s announcement also addressed two other matters, saying separate legal situations involving Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua remain under review.

Officials said neither Jacobs nor Nacua was disciplined in Friday’s update, and the league indicated both situations are still being investigated. The NFL did not provide a timeline for when those reviews might conclude.