The NFL has announced a three-game suspension for Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for repeated violations of rules intended to protect the health and safety of players and promote sportsmanship. Al-Shaair was ejected from Sunday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars for his hit on Trevor Lawrence.
Al-Shaair laid a vicious hit on Lawrence midway through the second quarter of the Texans win. Lawrence, who was making his return to the field after missing time due to a shoulder injury, scrambled up the left side of the field on a second-and-7 play and slid after traveling for a 6-yard gain. As he was well into his slide, Al-Shaair could be seen rocketing toward Lawrence and delivering a hard hit to the quarterback's head with his forearm.
Lawrence was down on the field before being carted to the locker room and eventually ruled out due to a concussion.
In a letter to Al-Shaair, NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan noted the Texans linebacker has had multiple offenses for personal fouls and sportsmanship-related rules violations in recent seasons:
"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, so the earliest return will be January 5 against the Tennessee Titans. Al-Shaair can appeal the suspension, per the NFL CBA, and will be suspended without pay.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans defended Al-Shaair on Tuesday, noting how difficult a situation it is for defensive players to handle when a quarterback slides late. He also criticized the Jaguars for overreacting to the hit.
"With the entire Azeez situation, we stand behind Azeez," Ryans said, via KPRC2. "It's two-fold. A lot of quarterbacks in this day and age, they try to take advantage of the rule or they slide late and they try to get an extra yard. You're a defender, a lot of onus is on the defender. Whether it's on the sideline or whether it's on the quarterback, you don't need what a guy is thinking. You don't know if a guy is staying up and he's continuing to run. You don't know, and then you get a late slide and you hit the guy.
"It's unfortunate that Trevor got hurt. I hope Trevor is okay. But it's also, when you're sliding, you have to get down. Getting out of bounds or getting down, that rule is there to protect the quarterbacks. We want our quarterbacks to be safe in the league. So we just have to be safe and when we're sliding, make sure we're keeping our heads down. The entire thing, Azeez hits the guy, but their sideline overreacts and it turns into a melee. But it wasn't our guys. Their team overreacted, dragging our guy, pushed our guy to the sideline. So, that's uncalled for on that side."
Ryans also lauded Al-Shaair's character and defended him against accusations of being a dirty player.
"He's an exceptional leader for us. He's a really good leader for us and he plays the game the right way," Ryans said. "His intent is never to hurt anyone as he's playing the game. Anyone that knows Azeez, talks to Azeez -- nobody with a bigger heart than Azeez. This guy's a special guy that I've known since 2019. Special young man, love working with him.
"For any picture that's painted of him being a dirty player or doing something intentional, that's the exact opposite of what Azeez is. People who know Azeez, they know how he plays the game. Yes, he plays it fast. He plays it physical. But sometimes that physical nature gets misunderstood in today's game."