Al-Shaair's three-game suspension was upheld Wednesday following an appeal.
Al-Shaair was given a three-game ban Tuesday after he was ejected from this past Sunday's win over the Jaguars in the second quarter following a hit to the head of quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who sustained a concussion. Prior to Sunday's incident, Al-Shaair had previously been fined twice by the league this season, and history likely played a factor in the decision to uphold the suspension. Al-Shaair will be eligible to return to action in the Texans' regular-season finale Week 18 at Tennessee.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Gets three-game ban for illegal hit
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The NFL announced Tuesday that Al-Shaair has received a three-game suspension for his hit on quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Sunday's 23-20 win over the Jaguars, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The 27-year-old linebacker had previously been fined for punching Bears running back Roschon Johnson in Week 2 and again for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard in Week 12. The hit on a sliding Lawrence -- which resulted in the quarterback sustaining a concussion -- appears to have been the last straw, and the NFL elected to suspend Al-Shaair for the first time in his career. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Al-Shaair will appeal the ban, but assuming the three-game suspension is upheld, he'll be eligible to return in Week 18. Devin White could be the next man up at linebacker alongside Henry To'oTo'o and Neville Hewitt, though Houston could get Christian Harris (calf) back from injured reserve at some point after its Week 14 bye.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Leading tackler versus Titans
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Al-Shaair registered eight tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Houston's loss Sunday versus Tennessee.
Al-Shaair was limited in practice throughout the week due to a knee injury but ended up having a solid performance nonetheless. Not only did the 27-year-old lead the team in tackles, but Al-Shaair also managed to record his second sack of the season as one of five different Texans defenders to bring down Will Levis.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Past knee issue
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Al-Shaair (knee) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Titans.
The first-year Texan practiced in a limited fashion both Wednesday and Thursday, but he upgraded to a full workload Friday, suggesting that he's recovered from his knee injury in time for Sunday's divisional matchup. With Al-Shaair back at full health, he's expected start alongside Henry To'oTo'o as part of Houston's top outside linebacker duo.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Limited at practice
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Al-Shaair (knee) was a limited participant at the Texans' practice Wednesday.
Al-Shaair dealt with a knee injury throughout October, which forced him to miss three games during that month, but he's since played in Houston's last two contests. The linebacker will still have two more chances to increase his workload at practice this week before the team faces the Titans on Sunday.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Ready to rock
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Al-Shaair (knee) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Lions.
Al-Shaair practiced in full Friday after logging back-to-back limited sessions to begin the Texans' week of practice, suggesting he's moved past his knee issue in time for Sunday's contest. Expect the Florida Atlantic product to start alongside Henry To'oTo'o as part of Houston's top outside linebacker duo in Week 10.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Limited Thursday
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Al-Shaair (knee) was limited in Thursday's practice.
After missing last Thursday night's game against the Jets, Al-Shaair has logged back-to-back limited sessions to open the practice week. He's missed the Texans' last three contests overall but looks poised for a potential return this Sunday versus Detroit. The veteran linebacker has 40 tackles (28 solo), including 1.0 sacks, six QB hits, four pass breakups and one forced fumble through six games.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Still on sidelines
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Al-Shaair (knee) is not practicing Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Al-Shaair was unable to play in Sunday's loss to the Packers and may be in danger of missing Week 8 against the Colts. The veteran linebacker will likely need to get back on the practice field by Friday, to increase his chances of suiting up for the matchup.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Missing Week 7
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Al-Shaair (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Packers.
Al-Shaair is now set to miss his first game of the season in Week 7 after failing to practice all week due to a knee injury. The Texans will be without both of their top outside linebackers, Al-Shaair and Henry To'oTo'o (concussion), in Sunday's contest. Expect Neville Hewitt to start alongside Jake Hansen and Del'Shawn Phillips in Al-Shaair's stead.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Ruled out
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Al-Shaair (knee) will not return Sunday against the Patriots.
Al-Shaair had three tackles before exiting late in the first half. It's hard to know if his inability to return is a result of the injury or the lopsided score of the game. More clarity on the severity of his injury could come after the game or later in the week.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Exits with knee injury Week 6
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Al-Shaair left Sunday's contest against New England due to a knee injury and is questionable to return.
Al-Shaair's injury occurred in the first half, and he was announced as being questionable to return shortly before halftime. Prior to Week 6, the linebacker had played every snap for the Texans through five games. Neville Hewitt entered the contest following Al-Shaair's exit and would be in line for significant work if the latter is unable to return.
Al-Shaair recorded 10 total tackles (nine solo), including two tackles for loss, during Sunday's 34-7 loss to the Vikings.
Al-Shaair was one of the few bright spots on a Texans defense that allowed a season-high 34 points in Week 3, leading the game in total tackles. The first-year Texan has impressed during his first three games in Houston, recording 25 total tackles, including 1.0 sack, and defending one pass on 169 defensive snaps. Expect Al-Shaair to continue being a viable IDP option as Houston hosts Jacksonville in Week 4.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Limited Wednesday
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Al-Shaair (shin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Following an impressive 10-tackle performance in Sunday night's win over the Bears, Al-Shaair appears to be dealing with a shin injury. His practice participation Thursday and Friday will provide a clearer indication of his availability for Week 3, as the Texans take on the Vikings.
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Titans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Strong season in Tennessee
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Al-Shaair recorded 163 total tackles (84 solo), two sacks, four passes defended and one fumble recovered across 17 games with the Titans in 2023.
Al-Shaair joined the Titans on a one-year deal before the 2023 season and showed the ability to handle a full defensive workload. He was on the field for a career-best 1,048 snaps and topped 100 tackles for the second time in five professional seasons. Al-Shaair will be entering his age-26 campaign, and even at a position that has been devalued in the modern NFL, he should be able to land a relatively significant contract.
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Titans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Leads team with eight stops
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Al-Shaair posted eight tackles (four solo), including two for loss, in Sunday's Week 16 loss to Seattle.
Al-Shaair led the Titans in stops Sunday, though his three-week streak of double-digit tackles was snapped. It's been a career year for the linebacker in his first campaign with Tennessee, as he's up to 145 total tackles (75 solo) on the campaign. Through Sunday, that's good for the fifth-best total in the NFL.
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Titans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Leading tackler vs. Texans
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Al-Shaair recorded 13 tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's 19-16 overtime loss versus the Texans.
Al-Shaair posted a double-digit tackle total for the third straight game in Week 15. He's tied for sixth in the league in that category with three weeks left in the season, making him a great IDP option for Week 16 versus the Seahawks.
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Titans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Late addition to injury report
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Al-Shaair was added to the injury report Saturday due to an illness and is questionable for Sunday's game against the Texans, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
Al-Shaair has been a key member of the Titans' insider linebacker corps, tallying double-digit stops on six occasions this season. His absence would benefit the likes of Devin Singletary and Dameon Pierce and would force Luke Gifford and Otis Reese into more significant roles.
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Titans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Available Sunday
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Al-Shaair (ankle) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
The 26-year-old linebacker went from not participating in Wednesday's practice to a full session Friday, and it now seems as if he's had enough time to move past his ankle issue. Al-Shaair has recorded 83 total tackles, including four tackles for loss and one sack through eight games this year.
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Titans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Picks up injury designation
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Al-Shaair (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
Al-Shaair was able to play 100 percent of the team's defensive snaps in last Thursday's loss to the Steelers, so it's not clear when the 26-year-old picked up the injury. He'll work to get back on the field before the end of the week with a matchup against the Buccaneers on tap Sunday.
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Titans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Racks up 15 stops in loss
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Al-Shaair tallied 15 tackles (seven solo) in a Week 5 loss to the Colts on Sunday.
Al-Shaair led Tennessee with his season-high 15 stops. It was the linebacker's first double-digit tackle total of the campaign, though he recorded nine stops in both Week 3 and Week 4. With 47 tackles through five games, Al-Shaair appears well on his way to surpassing the career-high 102 stops he recorded with San Francisco in 2021.
