Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair Suspended For Dirty Hit On Jaguars’ QB Trevor Lawrence – Is It Part Of A Pattern Of Bad Behavior?

It was a scrum in EverBank Stadium Sunday afternoon after Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair delivered a late hit to a sliding Trevor Lawrence in the first quarter.

As Lawrence lay stunned by the hit to his head, the Jaguars were quick to take exception. Their offense and bench poured onto the field, igniting a shoving match that would get Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones ejected and tight end Evan Engram saddled with a 15-yard penalty.

Lawrence was diagnosed with a concussion and has been ruled out indefinitely, but took to X Sunday night to reassure fans:

For the hit, as well as throwing an opposing player to the ground during the scrum, Al-Shaair was ejected and suspended for three games.

In a letter issuing the suspension, NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan told him, “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.”

Al-Shaair had previously been fined for a late hit on Nov. 24 against the Tennessee Titans, as well as for punching a player in Week 2 against the Bears.

He made a direct statement on X the day after the hit, saying, “I genuinely didn’t see him sliding until it was too late…To Trevor, I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening.”

Head coaches Doug Pederson of the Jaguars and Demeco Ryans of the Texans both declined to assign blame for the play, instead labeling it “unfortunate.” “Not representative of us,” said Ryans in a postgame press conference. “I’ll talk to Azeez, I’ll address him personally, and we will move forward from it.”

The game was Lawrence’s first back from a two-week shoulder injury. Backup quarterback Mac Jones took over after the hit, throwing for 235 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-20 loss as the Jags fell to 2-10 on the season.

Article by Katherine Manz