NFL reinstates James Pearce Jr. after eight-game suspension: Why EDGE returns at critical time for Falcons

The NFL reinstated Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr . on Monday, ending the eight-game suspension it handed down before the season began. Pearce will be eligible to play in Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, and coach Kevin Stefanski said last week that the plan is for him to see action in the Week 9 contest. Stefanski said upon Pearce's reinstatement, though, that it is too early to tell how much he will play in his first game back.