The NFL has suspended Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for three games following his illegal hit against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
NFL Suspends Azeez Al-Shaair
Full announcement from the league on the suspension of #Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair, which includes this from NFL VP Jon Runyan:
“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.” pic.twitter.com/9u1ZosfQCE
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 3, 2024
In Houston’s 23-20 win over the Jaguars, Al-Shaair delivered an illegal hit to Lawrence’s head after the quarterback attempted to slide following a run. Lawrence suffered a concussion, and his status for this week is uncertain.
The play led to a brawl between the Texans and the Jaguars. Al-Shaair and Jacksonville’s Jarrian Jones were ejected following the skirmish.
Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, explained the league’s decision to suspend 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.
“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.”
It is now anticipated that Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair will be suspended for the hit that he delivered Sunday to Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence. The only question is for how long. pic.twitter.com/P8phFecS02
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2024
Houston Texans GM Defends Al-Shaair
3 minutes and 35 seconds of a fired up Nick Caserio on the three game suspension of Azeez Al-Shaair.
Worth the watch: pic.twitter.com/i1mWXLD5TK
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) December 3, 2024
After the league issued the suspension, Texans general manager Nick Caserio came to Al-Shaair’s defense, saying the linebacker has been unfairly treated since the hit.
“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,” Caserio said via Chancellor Johnson. “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 wants more consistency in how the league handles illegal hits, citing Detroit’s Brian Branch and Los Angeles’ Derwin James as players who did not receive the same punishment as Al-Shaair.
Al-Shaair apologized to Lawrence in a social media post on Monday. Al-Shaair is not eligible to return until Week 18’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
All Praise to Allah🤲🏾 pic.twitter.com/pEbCRAg8fF
— Azeez Al-shaair (@A_train2_) December 2, 2024
