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NFL suspensions: Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. among four players banned to start season

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We had a bit of a news dump in the NFL ahead of the three preseason games that kicked off Friday night. The league suspended four players at the start of the season for various violations, headlined by Atlanta Falcons pass rusher James Pearce Jr., who was issued an eight-game suspension following his offseason arrest.

All four suspensions begin on Aug. 30, meaning the players can participate in preseason activities, including preseason games. Two notable players who did not receive suspensions on Friday are Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. However, the NFL is looking into these situations. Jacobs was arrested this offseason on charges related to domestic violence, but the case remains open. As for Nacua, a woman filed a civil lawsuit against him in March on allegations of gender violence, along with assault and battery.

EDGE James Pearce Jr.: 8 games

The NFL suspended James Pearce Jr. eight games without pay for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He is eligible for reinstatement on Monday, Nov. 2.

The Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist was arrested on Feb. 7 after he chased his then-girlfriend in an SUV and rammed her vehicle. Pearce fled from police before eventually being apprehended. He was initially charged with three felonies: Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police and resisting an officer with violence to his or her person.

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Pearce struck an agreement where if he completed a pre-trial intervention program and stayed out of trouble for six months, all charges would be dismissed. The victim and the police officers involved in the case agreed to this resolution. 

The loss of Pearce is a massive one for Atlanta, especially when you consider that fellow second-year pass rusher Jalon Walker suffered a torn ACL in training camp. In his first NFL season, Pearce set a Falcons rookie record by racking up 10.5 sacks in addition to 26 tackles. On the Falcons’ initial depth chart, Cameron Thomas and Brandon Dorlus are listed as their starting pass rushers.

DT Phidarian Mathis: 3 games

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis was suspended for the first three games of the season after he violated the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He is eligible for reinstatement on Monday, Sept. 28.

The former second-round pick of the Washington Commanders played six games for the Bills last year and made 13 tackles. He re-signed with Buffalo on a one-year deal this offseason. 

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On the Bills’ initial depth chart, Mathis was listed as a second-string defensive lineman behind Ed Oliver, Deone Walker and T.J. Sanders.

CB Nazeeh Johnson: 6 games

Tennessee Titans cornerback Nazeeh Johnson was suspended six games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy. He is eligible for reinstatement on Monday, Oct. 19. 

Johnson spent his first four NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs before signing with the Titans last month. In 29 career games played with six starts, he’s recorded 66 tackles, three passes defensed and one sack. 

Johnson was listed as a third-string cornerback on Tennessee’s initial depth chart. In the Titans’ 19-13 preseason victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night, he tied for the team lead in tackles with five. 

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EDGE Dorance Armstrong Jr.: 1 game

Commanders pass rusher Dorance Armstrong was suspended one game for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Armstrong was arrested in Texas last year on misdemeanor charges of assault causing bodily injury and resisting arrest/search or transport, according to ESPN.

Armstrong got off to a productive start for Washington last season, recording 5.5 sacks in the first seven games. However, he then tore his ACL.

Armstrong is still recovering from his knee injury, and was listed as a second-string pass rusher on Washington’s first depth chart behind free-agent additions Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson

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Venus Williams’ husband Andrea & Alex Eala’s father Michael become best-buddies amid duo’s blossoming relationship

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Amidst Venus Williams and Alex Eala’s blossoming relationship, the American’s husband Andrea and the Filipino’s father Michael have become best-buddies. The two men recently shared a sweet interaction on social media, showcasing the depth of their bond.

Williams and Eala met each other on court for the first time earlier this year as opponents. The duo competed against each other at the ASB Classic, with the pairing of Eala and Iva Jovic getting the better of Williams and Elina Svitolina. A few months later, the two WTA stars joined forces at the Bad Homburg Open. Competing alongside each other in Germany, the pair had a start to their campaign as they ousted Catherine Harrison and Alexandra Osborne in straight sets. They eventually went down against Tereza Mihalikova and Olivia Nicholls in the quarterfinals.

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As Venus Williams and Alex Eala’s bond grows stronger on and off the tennis court, Williams’ husband Andrea Preti and Eala’s father Michael recently shared a sweet interaction on social media. The latter took to his Instagram story to share a picture of Williams’ autographed book ‘Strive’, and thanked the tennis star for the gesture. Reposting the story, Preti wrote,

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“♥️💪♥️.”

Via @andreapreti88 on Instagram Via @andreapreti88 on Instagram
Via @andreapreti88 on Instagram

Eala’s father Michael has been an important part of the Filipino tennis star’s journey on the WTA Tour. Meanwhile, Preti has been one of Williams’ loudest cheerleaders as the American returns to competition.

Venus Williams and Alex Eala open up about their relationship

Eala and Williams at the National Bank Open (Image Source: Getty)Eala and Williams at the National Bank Open (Image Source: Getty)
Eala and Williams at the National Bank Open (Image Source: Getty)

Venus Williams and Alex Eala were most recently seen in action alongside each other at the National Bank Open. The duo partnered up for the women’s doubles event at the tournament, but suffered a disappointing opening round exit in Toronto.

After their loss, the pair opened up about their relationship. Williams heaped praise on the rising star, saying,

“Alex is a world star. She’s just incredible. Besides the fact of her tennis, she’s an incredible person, well spoken, and just an impressive young lady. So I like being around those kinds of things. I think we both lift each other up.”

Meanwhile, Eala emphasised how competing alongside Williams was motivating her to give her all, explaining,

“When I’m on court with Venus there’s a lot I can learn about mentality. When I’m on court with her it also pushes me to kind of match her energy. So of course when you’re on court with someone who plays like her, you want to kind of give it your all.”

After wrapping up their campaign in Toronto, Venus Williams and Alex Eala arrived in Ohio for the Cincinnati Open. Williams made an opening round exit at the event, while Eala is gearing up to compete against Elena Gabriela-Ruse for her round of 64 encounter.