NEW YORK — Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been suspended three games by the NFL after his hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, which resulted in a concussion.
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the suspension Tuesday.
The impact sent shockwaves through the crowd at EverBank Stadium, as players from both teams ended up in a skirmish, with tight end Evan Engram being the first player on the Jags to come to Lawrence's defense.
After the game, he told First Coast News what Al-Shaair did "was just a dirty play."
Al-Shaair was ejected for unnecessary roughness on the play, while Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones was ejected for throwing a punch during the scuffle between the teams. The two, along with Engram, had unsportsmanlike conduct penalties called on them.
As Al-Shaair was leaving the field, fans started screaming at him. Jaguars veteran guard Brandon Scherff joined in, prompting another altercation with Al-Shaair. Texans teammate Will Anderson grabbed Al-Shaair and escorted him off the field when a fan threw a water bottle that hit Anderson in the helmet. The fan was later ejected.
The Texans wound up winning the game, 23-20.
Lawrence said Sunday on X following the team's loss that he's "feeling better."
In a letter to Al-Shaair, Runyan, who noted that Al-Shaair has had multiple offenses for personal fouls and sportsmanship-related rules violations in recent seasons, wrote:
“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. 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.”
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return to the Texans’ active roster following the team’s Week 17 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
