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Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich lays out plan for James Pearce vs. Bengals
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- Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich lays out plan for James Pearce vs. Bengals
The Atlanta Falcons had to get by without their two starting edge rushers for the first eight games of the season, but they will get one half of their promising duo back this weekend against the Cincinnati Bengals .
Fresh off serving an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, James Pearce Jr. is expected to make his 2026 NFL season debut this Sunday in Madrid, Spain. The Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist led the Falcons with 10.5 sacks last season.
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Head coach Kevin Stefanski already said that Pearce would return on Sunday, but he hasn't said exactly how much the second-year pass rusher will play against the Bengals.
On Thursday morning, Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich laid out the plan for Pearce in Week 9.
"A lot of his conditioning and ability to play more will be dependent on what he shows as the game goes along," Ulbrich told team reporter Tori McElhaney . "We're thinking that we'll go in with a pitch count, but we could obviously change that thinking pretty quickly based upon how he plays."
Pearce is more of a speed-rusher than a true defensive end, but he had no trouble adapting his game to the NFL level as a rookie. The former Tennessee standout led all rookies in sacks last season, while fellow rookie linebacker Jalon Walker ranked second with 5.5 sacks.
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Walker tore his ACL during training camp and has already been ruled out for the season. Atlanta's front-seven suffered another big blow on Sunday. The team placed edge rusher Samson Ebukam on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury.
The Falcons will need veterans Za'Darius Smith and Cameron Thomas to step up, but they're lucky to have Pearce returning in time for Week 9. The Bengals offense, led by star QB Joe Burrow, is off to another promising start. Sunday's game starts at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) hands the ball to running back Bijan Robinson (7) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Ted Hurst III (17) warms up before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; A detail view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throwing hand before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks Baker Mayfield (6) and Jalon Daniels (10) run onto the field for warmups before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
(Jonathan Dyer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers mascot Captain Fear performs before a game between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) greets his son Maverick Mayfield and wife Emily Mayfield before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) greets his son Maverick Mayfield and wife Emily Mayfield before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers mascot Captain Fear performs before a game between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons placekicker Nick Folk (6) prepares to attempt a fifty-three-yard field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
(Jonathan Dyer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) calls the snap count from under center against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) drops back to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
(Jonathan Dyer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) hands the ball to running back Bucky Irving (7) against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers placekicker Chase McLaughlin (4) kicks a forty-six-yard field goal held by punter Riley Dixon (9) against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
(Jonathan Dyer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) hands the ball to running back Bijan Robinson (7) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) hands the ball to running back Bijan Robinson (7) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Ted Hurst III (17) warms up before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Best photos from NFC South showdown
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; A detail view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throwing hand before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Best photos from NFC South showdown
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks Baker Mayfield (6) and Jalon Daniels (10) run onto the field for warmups before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
(Jonathan Dyer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Best photos from NFC South showdown
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers mascot Captain Fear performs before a game between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Best photos from NFC South showdown
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) greets his son Maverick Mayfield and wife Emily Mayfield before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Best photos from NFC South showdown
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) greets his son Maverick Mayfield and wife Emily Mayfield before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers mascot Captain Fear performs before a game between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Best photos from NFC South showdown
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons placekicker Nick Folk (6) prepares to attempt a fifty-three-yard field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Best photos from NFC South showdown
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
(Jonathan Dyer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Best photos from NFC South showdown
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Best photos from NFC South showdown
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) calls the snap count from under center against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Best photos from NFC South showdown
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) drops back to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
(Jonathan Dyer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Best photos from NFC South showdown
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) hands the ball to running back Bucky Irving (7) against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Best photos from NFC South showdown
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers placekicker Chase McLaughlin (4) kicks a forty-six-yard field goal held by punter Riley Dixon (9) against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
(Jonathan Dyer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich lays out plan for James Pearce vs. Bengals
