On Monday, Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans went to bat for linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair amid a suspension in the works.
A day later, it was Nick Caserio’s turn to call out the NFL.
Caserio, along with multiple members of the organization, took exception with the league’s characterization of Al-Shaair following his three-game suspension. With owners in attendance, Caserio ripped the NFL for its choice wording and description of Al-Shaair in the letter laying out the sixth-year linebacker’s suspension.
“Nobody embodies our program more than Azeez,” Caserio said. “What he’s about, what he’s been through. There’s not a more selfless individual more about the team, who has earned the respect, that represents everything we want this program to be about.
“We’re talking about some of the commentary that has been made about his character, about the person that he is, about what his intentions are, from people who, quite frankly, don’t know anything about Azeez Al-Shaair.”
Caserio also called out the league office for its lack of consistency regarding suspension lengths, pointing to other instances around the league where players have received underwhelming punishments for similar hits on players.
Texans GM Nick Caserio on LB Azeez Al-Shaair’s suspension.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 3, 2024
“For the league to make some of the commentary that they made about lack of sportsmanship, lack of coachability, lack of paying attention to the rules, quite frankly, it’s embarrassing,” Caserio said. “So I think the big thing from our perspective — talk about a player who’s never been suspended, never been ejected. So now we’re saying that he’s going to be suspended for three games. Look, it is what it is. I think the big thing from our standpoint — and all teams want this — is just some level of consistency.”
This is a Nick Caserio we haven’t seen. He is HEATED right now. WOW.
— Sean Pendergast (@SeanTPendergast) December 3, 2024
Caserio, who’s set to close on his fourth season as the Texans’ GM, said they spoke to the league office and still feel as if there’s not a good explanation for the punishment. Al-Shaair, who can’t return until the Week 18 season finale, plans to appeal the ruling in hopes of limiting the suspension to either one or two games.
While Caserio defended his player, he also hoped that Lawrence continued to get healthy following a hit that left him unconscious and forced him into the concussion protocol.
“The most important thing is the health and safety of our players and I would say the health and well-being of Trevor,” Caserio said. “Hopefully Trevor is going to be okay.”
Much like Ryans, Caserio made sure to let the NFL know where he stands.
“Where we take umbrage is the picture that has been painted about Azeez, his intentions, who he is as a person,” Caserio said. “Quite frankly, it’s bulls—, and it’s unfair to the individual, it’s unfair to the organization. We love everything about Azeez Al-Shaair and everything he brings to this team.”
Caserio fired up, calling the portrayal of Al-Shaair’s character ‘bull—-.’ https://t.co/fx7BV0B7DQ
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 3, 2024
The Texans return from their bye week to take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 15.
