The NFL has announced a series of player suspensions, led by an eight-game ban for Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce. The suspension follows Pearce’s February arrest over an alleged domestic dispute involving his girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, and is significant because it removes a key defensive player for half the regular season.

Pearce faces three felony charges connected to the alleged incident, according to court documents cited in the article. The NFL announced the disciplinary action on Friday alongside other league bans, although the provided article text does not give details of those additional suspensions.