Category: 2024 NFL season

Texans LB plans to appeal 3-game suspension like former 2023 starter

Azeez Al-Shaair will do everything possible to make sure his three-game suspension is diminished.

Azeez Al-Shaair might have gotten hit with a three-game suspension, but the fight is not over.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Houston Texans linebacker plans to appeal the three-game suspension to the league office for a lesser sentencing following his hit and later ejection against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the second quarter of Sunday’s win.

The appeal will be heard by one of the appeals officers jointly appointed by the league and the NFLPA: Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae or Jordy Nelson.

In a letter to Al-Shaair, Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, stated that the Texans’ defensive captain was involved in a play that the league considers “unacceptable and a serious violation of playing rules.”

“Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide,” Runyan wrote. “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.

“After the illegal hit, you proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his facemask.”

On Monday, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans defended Al-Shaair, stating that the fight occurred after Jaguars players instigated the altercation by shoving him after the play.

“It wasn’t our guys. Their team overreacted,” Ryans said. “Pushed our guy, dragging our guy to the sideline. That’s uncalled for on that side. We have to be better on the sideline as well.”

On Tuesday, general manager Nick Caserio took offense to how the league portrayed Al-Shaair in their letting when offering up the suspension.

“Quite frankly, it’s bulls—, and it’s unfair to the individual, it’s unfair to the organization,” Caserio said. “We love everything about Azeez Al-Shaair and everything he brings to this team.”

The three-game ban has been the longest one dished out of the 2024 season for on-field violations. Caserio also asked for more consistency from the league on punishments for players who have conducted similar hits in the past.

“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 said.

Sunday isn’t the first time that Al-Shaair has been at the center of controversy surrounding hits. He was fined $11,817 earlier this year in Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears after he punched running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline during a scuffle that started after hitting rookie quarterback Caleb Williams near the sidelines.

In Week 12, Al-Shaair was fined  $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard. 

The Texans have been here before with a player for violating the NFL’s player safety policy. Linebacker Denzel Perryman was suspended three games for his on-field play. He appealed his case and eventually saw the suspension dropped to two games.

If Al-Shaair’s suspension is upheld, Al-Shaair won’t be cleared to return until the regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.

According to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson, Al-Shaair has a base salary of $1.5 million this season, meaning it will cost him about $265,000 in game checks should he miss all three games.

“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. “

Texans GM rips NFL for suspension and portrayal of LB Azeez Al-Shaair

Nick Caserio didn’t hold back in breaking down the poor portrayal made by the NFL against Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair amid suspension.

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.

“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.”

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.”

The Texans return from their bye week to take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 15.

Former Super Bowl champion furious at NFL’s deciscion to suspend Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair

Former Super Bowl champion Logan Ryan is not a fan of the NFL’s suspension length on Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair.

Former New England Patriots star and two-time Super Bowl champion Logan Ryan knows that the game of football can have some outlandish hits.

He also knows it’s a part of the game, which is why he’s not a fan of the recent suspension against Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. 

Ryan said on CBS Sports that the three-game suspension on Al-Shaair for the hit against Trevor Lawrence was “way too harsh,” especially given the ramifications of the bang-bang play.

“Taking a guy out three games? His job is to tackle people,” Ryan told Brandon Baylor. “Now that tackle was egregious. That tackle was unsportsmanlike. That tackle should have gotten him kicked out the game, which it did. That tackle will get him fined, which it did. But, it’s going to take three game checks?

“I understand everything that happened after the hit. I would like to see one game. I think that’s enough of a lesson; it’s enough of a fine taught. He’s not going out there. He doesn’t have a history of this.”

Al-Shaair, who plans to appeal the suspension, was notified by the NFL Tuesday that he would be out due to “consistent behavior” and as a “repeated offender” for his tackling style.

“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,” Jon Runyon, the NFL’s vice president of football operations and former Houston Oilers player, 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.”

Ryan, who spent years on the same sidelines with seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, can understand why Al-Shaair would be fined, suspended and even tussled up by the Jaguars’ players trying to defend their quarterback.
He can’t understand how the NFL can make a call to suspend a player doing his job.

“The fine is way too harsh,” Ryan said. “Now, maybe it’s set that way to appeal so it goes down to two games or one, but I think one game would have been sufficed.”

Caleb Williams sees the ousting of his first head coach despite elite performance

Caleb Williams sees the ousting of his first head coach despite recent strong play from the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft

It is almost bizarre how shockingly consistent the Chicago Bears have been in pairing young quarterbacks with new head coaches within their first two seasons. First Mitch Trubisky, then Justin Fields, and now in the middle of his rookie season, Caleb Williams loses the head coach who drafted him despite the rookie’s best efforts.

 

The boiling point for Matt Eberflus and the Chicago Bears was clearly what happened at the end of their primetime Thanksgiving day matchup against the Detroit Lions. Instead of taking a timeout and serving up a handful of plays to be able to move into field goal range or win the game with a touchdown, the Bears let the clock bleed out and handed Detroit a win on a silver platter. This is despite a performance from Caleb Williams that was one of his best on the season with over 250 yards passing a 3 touchdown passes on the afternoon.

Bears fans are hoping this consistent pattern of moving on from a coach with a young quarterback on the roster doesn’t blow up in their faces again as they clearly possess one of the most talented young signal callers in the league. Williams has the ability to bounce back from this and carry over success, but it will be a matter of finding the right fit to lead this team going into next season.

Texans LB supsended three games for hit against Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence

Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair won’t be on the field for the next three games after being suspended by the NFL.

(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.

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.

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.”

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.

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. 

Commanders’ Cornelius Lucas putting in the extra work

In his fifth season with the Commanders, Cornelius Lucas still getting the job done.

Dan Quinn was pleased with the play of his offensive line on Sunday.

That is no surprise, considering the Commanders’ line pounded the Titans all day, accumulating 267 rushing yards on 45 running carries.

Sunday, the Commanders were without starting right tackle Andrew Wylie, who suffered a concussion in last week’s home loss to the Cowboys. Trent Scott had played in substitution for Wylie against the Cowboys.

However, in this game against the Titans, the Commanders chose Lucas to start at right tackle. He not only started but also played on every offensive snap, all 83 of them.

“Yeah, and before you mentioned him, he was one of the first [people] I was going to bring up was Lucas,” said Quinn. So, for a good bit of the season, he’s been playing mostly at left tackle. So, this week in practice for him to after practice, before practice, getting in extra work with [T/G] Sam Cosmi. You could see this was a player that was really putting in the details to get it right.”

Lucas, thus far, had been playing over at left tackle this season. He started early and has swapped time with rookie Brandon Coleman. But during the week, he was putting in the extra work to prepare himself for playing the right tackle spot.

“Now changing to another side to go, that part was going to be a big deal, because he himself did the extra with Sam. ‘I want more combinations, I want more stuff to go.’ So, they really did a nice job of staying on blocks, getting to the next level and the tight ends were a big part of this as well.

Perhaps with the bye week now finally here, the Commanders can get Wylie back and healthy. In addition, they now know their swing tackle, Lucas, is fit and ready to take on either tackle position.

Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. making the most of opportunities

Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez delivers every time he is called upon.

How would you like it said of you, that you really deliver when needed?

Monday, at his press conference, head coach Dan Quinn offered this praise to running back Chris Rodriguez.

Being drafted No. 193 overall in the 2023 NFL draft certainly shouldn’t leave a player overconfident in his abilities. That’s the case with Rodriguez, who was drafted out of Kentucky yet is always working and preparing for his opportunity.

It was fitting that Rodriguez scored the final touchdown Sunday in the Commanders’ 42-19 win over the Titans. Rodriguez has shown he can play special teams, yet he was released last week, missing the frustrating loss to the Cowboys.

No other team claimed Rodriguez, so the Commanders picked him up again. With Austin Ekeler going on IR last week, Rodriguez was again needed. And he certainly delivered when called upon Sunday, rushing 13 times for 94 yards, including a 25-yard long run.

As a result, in his second season, he is gaining the trust of others, including Quinn.

“Yeah, we really have a lot of confidence in him, and he’s just somebody that through practice and through the opportunities that he gets, he really delivers on that. I thought he’s got good vision as a runner.”

This season, Rodriguez has run the ball 265 times, gaining 150 yards (5.8 a carry). So, the touchdown at the end, when Rodriguez scored, you could visibly see the joy some of the linemen exhibited, happy that Rodriguez had gotten into the end zone.

“There’s a lot of trust that’s built between him, his teammates, the staff, Quinn added. And so, when he’s called upon, he’s really ready to deliver. And really that whole running back room kind of emphasizes that.”

Quinn was asked if Rodriguez being released and brought back twice this season might be awkward or lead to emotional moments with Rodriguez.

“You would think so, but it’s actually been just the opposite. And I can imagine even from last Saturday we had to make a roster move with him where he wasn’t going to be on the 53. So, that whole process to go and for him to come out, ‘Hey man, this is where I want to be.’ And so, for us knowing that about him and us feeling the same way, what could have been some instances of that has just actually been the opposite.”

Texans-Jaguars Week 13: Offense, defense and special teams snap counts

The Houston Texans secured their fourth win against an AFC South opponent on Sunday out in Jacksonville.

The Houston Texans secured a 23-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at EverBank Stadium to head into the bye week at 8-5.

Joe Mixon kept up his Pro Bowl-esque season after rushing for 101 yards and a touchdown. He joined Tiki Barber of the New York Giants (2004) and Derrick Henry of Tennessee (2020) as the third running back in NFL history with at least 100 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown in six road games in the same season.

“Joe’s an old school running back,” Texans coach Ryans said. “He’s that guy that wants it 30 times, and he keeps getting better the more touches that he gets. So really proud of him to know he’s hurting and still push through. To still turn out yards, even when they’re loading the box, and still being able to find a way to get yards.”

Nico Collins returned to his All-Pro status after catching eight passes for 119 yards, while Dalton Schultz hauled him his first touchdown reception on the season on a 22-yard pass from C.J. Stroud.

Stroud, who didn’t have a turnover for the first time in three games, completed 22 of 34 passes for 242 yards and a score. Schultz, who finished with five catches for 61 yards, iced the victory over Jacksonville, which has dropped five straight games and 15 of its last 18.

Here’s the entire snap count from Sunday’s contest in Duval County.

The Texans are off in Week 14 and will return to NRG Stadium on Dec. 15 to take on the Miami Dolphins.

Texans HC DeMeco Ryans defends LB Azeez Al-Shaair amid NFL investigation

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans flipped the script on Azeez’s Al-Shaair’s hit against Trevor Lawrence on Monday after further review.

The NFL is investigating Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair’s recent hit against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence for a potential suspension.

The league is in its right to review the tackle. DeMeco Ryans is in his right to stick up for the veteran linebacker.

Ryans defended the Texans’ captain during his press conference Monday, stating that while the hit on the quarterback was unfortunate, it’s also two-fold because of the slide.

“A lot of the quarterbacks, they try and take advantage of the rule, where they slide late and try to get an extra yard,” Ryans said. “A lot of onus is on the defender. Whether it’s on the sideline or whether it’s on the quarterback, you don’t know what a guy is thinking. You don’t know if a guy is staying up. And then you get a late slide and hit the guy.

“It’s unfortunate Trevor got hurt. I hope Trevor is OK, but also, if we’re sliding, we have to get down,” Ryans said. “If we’re getting out of bounds, get out of bounds, and that rule is there to protect the quarterback.”

Lawrence, who returned after missing two games with a shoulder injury, tried to pick up a first down on a second-and-7 play with just over four minutes remaining in the first half.

As he began to slide, Al-Shaair left his feet and extended his forearm to make a tackle that appeared to knock the quarterback unconscious.

Since the incident, Al-Shaair has publically apologized to Lawrence on social media, stating that he didn’t know the quarterback was going down as it was a “split-second decision.”

Lawrence immediately left the game on a cart and was ruled out with a head injury.

While the hit caused controversy on social media, it also led to retaliation from Jaguars’ players. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram shoved Al-Shaair, thus leading to a brawl on Jacksonville’s sidelines.

“Azeez hits the guy, but their sideline overreacts, and it turns into a melee,” Ryans said. “It wasn’t our guys. Their team overreacted. Pushed our guy, dragging our guy to the sideline. That’s uncalled for on that side. We have to be better on the sideline as well.”

After tensions cooled, Al-Shaair was ejected for the hit. Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones for throwing a punch during the altercation.

Ryans, who rushed onto the field to pull off Al-Shaair and personally calm him down, reiterated that while the hit was unfortunate, it was not a clear representation of Al-Shaair’s character.

“Azeez is a great person, an exceptional leader for us,” Ryans said. “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.”

The Texans are off this week, so a suspension likely won’t come until next week’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Ryans said the league should take a look at all sides before making a call.

“We’re not intentionally trying to hurt anyone,” Ryans said. “I think there is an overreaction when someone gets hurt, but we just have to look at it all from all perspectives.”

Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair releases statement after hit on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence

Azeez Al-Shaair offered an apology following the hit made on Trevor Lawrence during Sunday’s matchup against the Jaguars.

The Houston Texans did not make linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair available to speak with reporters following Sunday’s hit that appeared to knock out Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Still, the veteran wanted to clear the air.

Al-Shaair took to social media to apologize to Lawrence for the hit and later actions that led to his ejection during the second quarter, stating everything happened” in the blink of an eye.”

“To Trevor, i genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening,” Al-Shaair’s statement reads. “Before the game, we spoke and I told you how it was great to see you back out on the field and wished you well. 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.’”

Lawrence, who has just returned to the starting lineup after missing two games due to a shoulder injury, began to slide after picking up six yards. As he initiated the slide, Al-Shaair dove forward and delivered a forearm to the head.

Lawrence was able to get up under his own power but was taken off the field on a cart and ruled out with a head injury. He now will go through the league’s concussion protocol.

Multiple Jaguars players, including tight end Evan Engram and offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, came to Lawrence’s defense after the hit and following Al-Shaair’s ejection. Al-Shaair said in the post he understood why players came to their quarterback’s defender following the play.

“I can definitely understand you having his back and defending him in a situation like that,” Al-Shaair wrote.

While countless people commented on the hit, several people on social media came after Al-Shaair’s personal life. A practicing Muslim, the sixth-year linebacker was criticized support for his support for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund as part of the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” initiative.

“To the rest of the people who I’ve been called every single name in the book from reporters with their hands ready for a story to find their villain, to racist and Islamophobic fans and people, you don’t know my heart nor my character which I don’t need to prove to any of you,” Al-Shaair wrote. “God knows my intentions and anyone who has ever been a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart.”

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Al-Shaair could be facing a suspension in the coming weeks following the hit. This isn’t the first time he’s been involved in a controversial play since signing a three-year deal with the Texans in the offseason.

Houston (8-5) enters its bye week before returning to take on the Miami Dolphins at home in Week 15.