Texans OLB Azeez Al-Shaair suspended three games for illegal hit on Trevor Lawrence  Dec 03, 2024

Houston Texans outside linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been suspended three games without pay for his illegal hit Sunday on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the league announced on Tuesday.

Lawrence slid in the first half of the Jaguars’ 23-20 loss following a scramble when Al-Shaair delivered a forearm blow to the grounded Lawrence, who immediately went into the fencing position and was concussed. The play also led to an immediate donnybrook between the teams.

Lawrence was eventually carted off the field and his status for this week and beyond remains to be determined. Al-Shaair was ejected, along with Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones for his role in the ensuing skirmish.

Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, issued the suspension and explained his decision in a letter to Al-Shaair.

“During your game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 1, with 4:20 remaining in the second quarter, you were involved in a play that the League considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules,” Runyan wrote. “Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide. … You led with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area of your opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact.

“After the illegal hit, you proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his facemask. After the referee announced that you were disqualified for the hit and your unsportsmanlike acts, you removed your helmet and reengaged with your opponent while walking down and across the field, which started another physical confrontation near the end zone.

“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL. … Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated.”

Texans general manager Nick Caserio gave a full-throated defense of Al-Shaair and took issue with the league’s decision when he met with reporters on Tuesday during his scheduled bye-week news conference.

“I think one of the biggest issues that we sort of take umbrage with as a team and organizationally is a picture that’s been painted of Azeez that, quite frankly, is unfair,” Caserio said.

“We’re going to say Azeez Al-Shaair, nobody embodies our program more than Azeez. What he’s about, what he’s been through. … There’s not a more selfless individual, more about the team who’s earned the respect, that represents everything we want this program to be about.

“Some of the commentary that has been made about his character, about the person that he is and his intentions are from people who, quite frankly, don’t know anything about Azeez Al-Shaair.”

Caserio cited a lack of suspension for Detroit Lions defender Brian Branch after he was ejected for an illegal hit against the Green Bay Packers in Week 9 and a one-game suspension for Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James after committing an unnecessary roughness penalty in a Week 3 game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers as a lack of consistency in league punishment.

“All teams ask for is consistency from the league,” Caserio said. “I’d say in this situation, quite frankly, there’s no consistency at all relative to the level of discipline that’s been handed down.”

Al-Shaair issued an apology on Monday on social media, but this is not his first instance with questionable play. Past examples include Al-Shaair, when playing for the San Francisco 49ers, grabbing then-Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady by the throat; punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline earlier this season; and hitting Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard late on the sideline square in the back, also earlier this year.

The 27-year-old Al-Shaair is playing his sixth NFL season and first for Houston. He’s started 10 games for the Texans, contributing 68 tackles, two sacks and four pass breakups.

The Texans are entering their bye week and upon their return will be without Al-Shaair starting on Dec. 15 against the visiting Miami Dolphins. He will also miss Week 16’s road game versus the Kansas City Chiefs and Christmas Day’s showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.