(This story was updated to add new information.)
Azeez Al-Shaair won’t be taking the field for the Houston Texans anytime soon.
The veteran linebacker was suspended three games by the NFL on Tuesday for his late hit on Trevor Lawrence on Sunday, which led to an ejection and left the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback with a concussion.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Al-Shaair plans to appeal the suspension to decrease the length.
NFL is suspending Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair three games for the hit he delivered Sunday to Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence. pic.twitter.com/knMej2dwzW
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 3, 2024
Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, stated in a letter to Al-Shaair that the league deemed the hit “unacceptable” and that his “continued disregard” for rules governing player safety “will not be tolerated.”
“You were involved 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.”
During the second quarter, Lawrence scrambled before sliding on a second-and-7 play. As he began to slide, Al-Shaair leaped toward the quarterback with his forearm, resulting in Lawrence’s head slamming against the grass at EverBank Stadium.
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
Jaguars tight end Evan Engram shoved Al-Shaair after the play, leading to a brawl between the two sides. Lawrence, who recently returned to the lineup after missing two games with a shoulder injury, was able to get up off the field under his own pressure but was carted to the locker room with a head injury.
Since the incident, Al-Shaair apologized to Lawrence in a post on social media.
“I would never want to see any player hurt because of a hit I put on them especially one that’s deemed ‘late‘ or ‘unnecessary,’“ Al-Shaair wrote. “To the rest of his teammates I can definitely understand you having his back and defending him in a situation like that.”
Runyan said in his letter that Al-Shaair “proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his facemask.” Following the ejection, Al-Shaair was confronted by multiple Jacksonville players, including offensive guard Brandon Scherff.
Multiple Texans teammates had to hold back Al-Shaair as he was being escorted to the locker room.
“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 puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated.”
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the 3 game suspension to Azeez Al-Shaair.
In a letter to Al-Shaair, Runyan, who noted that Al-Shaair has had multiple offenses for personal fouls and sportsmanship-related rules violations in recent seasons, wrote: pic.twitter.com/frVgahSxLp
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) December 3, 2024
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans called the incident “unfortunate” and “not what we’re coaching,” though he did not believe it was representative of Al-Shaair as a player.
“Azeez is a great person, an exceptional leader for us,” Ryans said Monday. “He plays the game the right way. His intent is never to hurt anyone.
“For any picture that is painted that Azeez is a dirty player or doing something intentional, that is the exact opposite of Azeez.”
This isn’t Al-Shaair’s first time being reprimanded by the NFL for his on-field play. He was at the center of another controversy in Week 2 when he hit Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams on the sideline as the rookie ran out of bounds.
He was fined $11,817 after he punched Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson following the altercation on the sidelines.
Al-Shaair was also fined $11,255 last week for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard in Houston’s 32-27 loss.
Here’s the All-22 on the Azeez Al-Shaair hit on Trevor Lawrence. pic.twitter.com/259poGPTH4
— Jeremy Branham (@JeremyBranham) December 3, 2024
A former protege under Ryans in San Francisco, Al-Shaair, 27, signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Texans this offseason and was named a team captain for 2024. In 10 games, he’s totaled 68 tackles, two sacks, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
The Texans (8-5) are off this week, but will return to face off against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 15. Should the suspension be upheld, Al-Shaair will be able to return for the season finale against the Titans.
