Tag: azeez

Texans DeMeco Ryans: ‘We’ve missed Azeez Al-Shaair’s leadership’

Everyone around Houston is excited to see the return of Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair in Week 18.

The Houston Texans might have missed Azeez Al-Shaair for his run-stopping ability.

They might have noticed the missing impact of his presence in man coverage when Christian Harris or Henry To’oTo’o was asked to guard a running back or slot receiver.

But entering Week 18, the Texans are welcoming back Al-Shaair the leader first. The player and role defensive captain comes second.

“It’s really great getting Azeez back,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday. “We’ve missed him over these past three weeks, just missed his presence, his leadership, missed his playmaking ability on the field. So, we’re excited to get him back out there and let him knock some of the rust off.”

Al-Shaair, who inked a three-year deal to reunite with Ryans, was suspended three games without pay after an illegal hit against Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Week 13. The play led to an on-field brawl and later ejection during the second quarter.

During Al-Shaair’s time away, the Texans struggled. While they might have secured the AFC South division title, they also went 1-2 over 11 days, including suffering double-digit losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.

The run defense lacked power and an enforcer up the middle. All-Pro running back Derrick Henry got Christmas Day going with a 115-yard first-quarter performance before finishing with 147 yards.

Lamar Jackson, who could shore up the MVP this weekend with a strong outing against the Cleveland Browns, racked up 87 yards on the ground and scored a 48-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Al-Shaair won’t solve the defensive woes alone, but his return is a start in a run toward the postseason. Everyone in the building can sense it, too.

“We’re all excited,” linebacker Christian Harris said. “It’s great to have our leader back, our captain. He brings crazy energy. He inspires a lot of us in many different ways. We’re excited.”

In 10 games, Al-Shaair has totaled 68 tackles, seven tackles for losses and two forced fumbles.

He’ll make his return to the field for the first time in over a month when the Texans take on the Tennessee Titans this Sunday at Nissan Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Trevor Lawrence’s teammate explains support of Azeez Al-Shaair

Arik Armstead explains why he liked Azeez Al-Shaair’s tweet despite being a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

A former teammate of Azeez Al-Shaair explained why he supported the Houston Texans linebacker while also being a teammate of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Veteran defensive tackle Arik Armstead liked Al-Shaair’s Instagram post following the NFL’s decision to deny his appeal of the three-game suspension he received for an illegal hit on Lawrence during Sunday’s 23-20 win.

Armstead, who signed a three-year deal with Jacksonville following his release from the San Francisco 49ers this spring, addressed the tweet with media Thursday afternoon. While he felt for Lawrence, who now will miss the remainder of the regular season because of a shoulder injury, Armstead said he also felt for Al-Shaair, who was in a rocky position after a bang-bang play.

The two were teammates in San Francisco for four years before Al-Shaair left in the 2023 offseason.

“First off, I love Trevor. He’s a great teammate. Great player. Great person. And what happened, seeing him get injured, was terrible,” Armstead said. “You never want to see that happen to a teammate of yours.

“Also, Azeez is a great friend of mine. We were locker mates for four years, right next to each other, and we have a great relationship as well too.”

Al-Shaair, who won’t be able to return until Week 18’s season finale against the Titans, apologized to Lawrence via social media on Monday. A day later, the NFL slapped him with the suspension, stating that “lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play.”

Armstead took offense to how the NFL and fans portrayed his former teammate in the public eye. He also wasn’t a fan of how multiple people attacked Al-Shaair’s Muslim faith on social media, which prompted the liking of the post captioned in Al-Shaair’s “villainous” narrative surrounding his on-field play.

“To see the ridicule and (Al-Shaair) being ostracized the way he is and the remarks people are making about him is also terrible,” Armstead said. “I feel like I can support my great teammate Trevor andhoust I can also support a friend in a rough situation when people are being racist towards him and a lot of hateful things are being said about him.”

Armstead didn’t defend the actions of Al-Shaair that led to his ejection, but he did call the sixth-year linebacker a “good dude.” He also mentioned that he spoke to Lawrence about the situation, who understood why he was trying to support both sides.

“Seeing a teammate get injured, but also having a friend of mine be in a situation like that,” Armstead said. “He was definitely in the wrong and made a bang-bang play that I wish that (he) could have back.”

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

Here’s who’s residing over Azeez Al-Shaair’s appeal for three-game suspension

A former star for the Pittsburgh Steelers will oversee the appeal case for Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair’s suspension.

Azeez Al-Shaair plans to appeal his three-game suspension for his hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on Wednesday afternoon.

Houston Texans fans now know who will serve as the appeal officer for the case.

Former NFL offensive lineman and current Nashville radio host Ramon Foster will hear the case after being jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA earlier this week. Should he agree with Al-Shaair’s claim, the suspension could be dismissed or lowered to a lesser time frame.

Foster serving on the case could benefit Al-Shaair’s plea, espeically given their relationship with the city of Nashville. Al-Shaair played for the Tennessee Titans in 2023 and led the team in tackles.

Foster, a former teammate of Texans legend Arian Foster while at Tennesseee, works on the morning show of the Titans’ radio broadcast network on 104.5 F.M. The Zone.

Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, wrote in the suspension letter the linebacker 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.”

Foster will be the liaison between the two sides before a final verdict is made. A decision on the suspension is expected to be made before the end of the week.

The Texans are on a bye this week but will return next Sunday to NRG Stadium to take on the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 15.