Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair faces a possible suspension from the NFL for his illegal hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on Sunday, according to ESPN. The report indicates that it is simply a matter of how long Al-Shaair will be suspended rather than whether or not the league will issue a ban.
Al-Shaair dealt a hard hit to Lawrence midway through the second quarter of Sunday’s 23-20 victory in Houston. The Jaguars quarterback, returning to the field after missing time with 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. . While already on his slide, Al-Shaair could be seen lunging toward Lawrence and hitting the quarterback hard in the head with his forearm.
Lawrence was on the field before being taken to the locker room and ultimately ruled out due to a concussion.
Naturally, Jaguars players took offense to the hit, which has largely been characterized as a dirty play. Jacksonville’s entire sideline got into a fight with Al-Shaair and other Texans players. After officials separated the two teams, it was announced that Al-Shaair was ejected along with Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones. Meanwhile, Jaguars tight end Evan Engram was flagged for unnecessary roughness but remained in the game.
On Sunday night, Lawrence posted on X, notifying her followers that she was home and “feel better.” As for Al-Shaair, he apologized on social media on Monday morning.
“I have always played as hard as I could. Never with the intention of harming anyone and anyone who knows me knows that,” Al-Shaair said in part. “…To Trevor, I sincerely apologize for what ended up happening. Before the game we talked and I told you how great it was to see you back on the field and I wished you the best. I would never want to see anyone.” “The player was injured due to a hit I gave him, especially one that was considered ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary’.”
The Texans are currently entering their bye week in Week 14, so any type of ban would kick in starting in Week 15, when Houston hosts the Miami Dolphins. After that, they finish the regular season at Kansas City in Week 16, at home against Baltimore in Week 17 and at Tennessee in Week 17.
