Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters
Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been suspended for three games following a hit to the head of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during Sunday’s game. The NFL cited repeated violations of player safety rules as the reason for the suspension.
Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of policy and rules administration, announced the decision Tuesday, calling Al-Shaair’s actions “unacceptable” in a letter addressed to the linebacker. Runyan emphasized the league’s stance on player safety, stating, “You continue to disregard rules governing player safety, and the league will not tolerate it.”
The Incident
The officials ejected Al-Shaair in the second quarter after he struck Lawrence in the head and neck area while the quarterback slid feet-first. The hit left Lawrence with a concussion and prompted an intense reaction from Jaguars players on the field.
“You participated in a play that the [NFL] considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules,” Runyan wrote Tuesday. “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.”
Lawrence showed signs of a traumatic brain injury, including the “fencing response,” as he lay on the ground for several minutes. Jaguars players confronted Al-Shaair, sparking a brawl on the field.
Runyan’s letter also noted Al-Shaair’s role in escalating the melee. “proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated by pulling an opponent down to the ground by his facemask,” and also added that the officials ejected the six-year veteran, who then “removed his helmet and reengaged with his opponent while walking down and across the field, which started another physical confrontation near the end zone.”
Texans GM Defends Al-Shaair
Texans general manager Nick Caserio criticized the NFL for what he called inconsistent disciplinary actions.
“I probably speak for a lot of teams, not only the Houston Texans, but I think that’s all teams ask for is consistency from the league,” he said. “And I’d say in this situation, quite frankly, there’s no consistency at all relative to the level of discipline that’s been handed down.”
Caserio pointed to other players who have faced ejections for similar hits but received less severe punishments.
Previous Violations
This is not Al-Shaair’s first violation of league rules this season. In Week 12, the league fined him $11,255 for a late hit on Titans running back Tony Pollard. Earlier in the season, the league also fined him $11,817 for punching Bears running back Roschon Johnson during a sideline altercation in Week 2. That scuffle followed a hard hit on quarterback Caleb Williams, and officials chose not to call a flag.
In his letter, Runyan condemned Al-Shaair’s repeated offenses: “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,” Runyan wrote. “Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules jeopardizes the health and safety of both you and your opponents, and the league will not tolerate it.”
Al-Shaair Apologizes
On Monday, Al-Shaair posted an apology to Lawrence on social media. He claimed he didn’t notice Lawrence sliding until it was “too late” and described the incident as happening “in the blink of an eye.”
“I would never want to see any player hurt because of a hit I put on them,” Al-Shaair wrote. He also acknowledged why Jaguars players defended Lawrence, though Texans coach DeMeco Ryans labeled their reaction as an “overreaction.”
Appeals Process and Suspension Impact
Al-Shaair plans to appeal the suspension, according to a report from ESPN. Appeals officers jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA, such as Derrick Brooks, Kevin Mawae, or Jordy Nelson, will hear the case.
If the suspension is upheld, Al-Shaair will miss three games and forfeit roughly $265,000 of his $1.5 million base salary. He would be eligible to return for the Texans’ season finale against the Tennessee Titans.
Jaguars’ Next Steps
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said the team would wait for Lawrence to clear concussion protocols before determining his availability for the rest of the season. Pederson also noted that Al-Shaair’s hit did not aggravate Lawrence’s prior AC joint sprain.
The Texans, now without a key defensive player, will need to adjust as they prepare for the next three games without Al-Shaair.
Related Content: Texans RB Joe Mixon Criticizes NFL’s Player Safety Policies
This report used information from ESPN.
