Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been suspended for three video games with out pay for his “unlawful hit” on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence throughout their matchup on Sunday.
The NFL introduced the suspension on Tuesday following a assessment. Al-Shaair was ejected from the sport on Sunday after the hit and Lawrence was carted off the sector and dominated out for the rest of the sport with a concussion.
“During your sport towards the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 1, with 4:20 remaining within the second quarter, you had been concerned in a play that the League considers unacceptable and a critical violation of the enjoying guidelines,” Jon Runyan, the NFL vp of soccer operations, wrote in a letter to Al-Shaair declaring the suspension. “Video exhibits you placing the top/neck space of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide… You led together with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow to the top/neck space of your opponent while you had time and area to keep away from such contact.”
Many have described the hit as “violent” and “soiled.” It occurred simply earlier than the tip of the primary half when Lawrence scrambled for six yards and was hit within the facemask by Al-Shaair simply as he was sliding down.
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Lawrence’s teammates instantly got here to his protection after seeing the hit, which initiated a brawl on the sector between the 2 groups.
“After the unlawful hit, you proceeded to interact in a brawl, which you escalated while you pulled an opponent right down to the bottom by his facemask. After the referee introduced that you simply had been disqualified for the hit and your unsportsmanlike acts, you eliminated your helmet and reengaged together with your opponent whereas strolling down and throughout the sector, which began one other bodily confrontation close to the tip zone,” Runyan wrote within the letter.
“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the sport of soccer and all those that play, coach, and revel in watching it, is troubling and doesn’t replicate the core values of the NFL… Your continued disregard for NFL enjoying guidelines places the well being and security of each you and your opponents in jeopardy and won’t be tolerated,” Runyan added within the letter.
Al-Shaair issued an apology by way of X on Monday, stating partially, ““I might by no means wish to see any participant damage due to a hit I put on them particularly one which’s deemed ‘late’ or ‘pointless’.”
But this wasn’t the primary time the 27-year-old linebacker’s conduct has been in query this season.
During the Texans sport towards the Chicago Bears in Week 2, he was reportedly fined $11,817 for punching Bears operating again Roschon Johnson on the sideline. He was additionally criticized for a late sideline hit on Tennessee Titans operating again Tony Pollard earlier within the season.
Al-Shaair is in his sixth season within the NFL, nevertheless it’s his first with Houston.
As for Lawrence, he posted on his social media that he’s “feeling higher,” nevertheless it stays to be stated if he’ll return to the sector.
The Jaguars are scheduled to play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday for their Week 14 matchup, whereas the Texans are in a bye week.
With the suspension, Al-Shaair will miss the Texans’ upcoming video games towards the Miami Dolphins, the Kansas City Chiefs and the workforce’s Christmas Day matchup towards the Baltimore Ravens.
