Tag: Houston TexaNA

Deebo Samuel weighs in on Azeez Al-Shaair being suspended for hit on Trevor Lawrence

Deebo Samuel, a former teammate of Azeez Al-Shaair, weighs in on the Houston Texans linebacker’s suspension for three games.

Several former NFL players have criticized Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair’s hit against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel is more on the side of his former teammate.

Samuel recently on his podcast, said that Al-Shaair isn’t the type of player to act with malice while on the field. The hit seemed to be a bang-bang play and far from the perceived character that’s currently being painted about his on-field demeanor.

The two were rookies entering San Francisco in 2019 and shared a locker room for four seasons before Al-Shaair left in free agency following the 2022 campaign.

“I know Azeez very well. He’s one of my brothers, for sure. I talked to him afterward and it wasn’t intentional,” Samuel said.

“That clip doesn’t show who he is as a person. If I’m him, and as you’ve seen, he put out an apology to Trevor Lawrence. He apologized to everybody. That kind of shows the person he really is. At the end of the day, he’s not trying to take anybody out. He’s trying to play the way that he was always been taught to play it. 

“If I’m him in that situation as I’m getting up and somebody is beating on the back of my head, it’s like, ‘I got to get in defense mode.’ With his apology and me knowing him personally and knowing it wasn’t intentional, I just think 3-games is a little much.”

Samuel did defend Lawrence, who left the game with a concussion, and the actions of his teammates came to his defense. Even if Al-Shaair was genuinely trying to make a clean hit, anyone who hit his quarterback would be put in line.

“If you hit my quarterback like that, it’s up. I’m crashing, 100%, no question,” Samuel said. “I get that part.”

Samuel also mentioned that defensive players often receive stricter suspension ramifications compared to offensive players who deliver similar hits against opposing players.

“If it was me, would you suspend me for three games?” Samuel asked. “If that was [Baltimore Ravens running back] Derrick Henry, would he be suspended for three games? I think it’s more so about protecting the quarterbacks.”

Al-Shaair, who signed a three-year deal this offseason with the Texans, will be eligible to return in Week 18’s season finale against the Tennessee Titans.

The Texans return to NRG Stadium to take on the Miami Dolphins this Sunday at noon CT.

Report: Texans exploring WR trade market after Stefon Diggs injury

The Houston Texans might be targeting a veteran receiver to replace Stefon Diggs before next week’s trade deadline.

Could the Houston Texans add another receiver before the NFL trade deadline now that Stefon Diggs is out for the year?

According to one report, it’s not off the table.

In a recent article from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, a few names to watch as Texans trade targets include New York Giants’ Darius Slayton, New England Patriots Kendrick Bourne and Las Vegas Raiders’ Jakobi Meyers.

Meyers, who was in New England while general manager Nick Caserio worked for the player personnel, might be a longshot to acquire since the Raiders already parted ways with Davante Adams earlier this month.

Diggs, who suffered a torn ACL in Sunday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts, was expected to be the quality No. 2 option opposite Nico Collins for C.J. Stroud and the passing game. In eight outings, the two-time All-Pro ranked seventh in the NFL in catches (47) this season and was second on the Texans in receiving yards (496).

“He’s been such an important part to our team and everything that he brought, not only on the field, but off the field. The energy, the leader, the way he worked every single day,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Have to pick up the slack. A lot of guys have to step up and pick up the slack. Definitely praying for him.”

Adding one of the targets might be affordable, especially given their current contract situations. Slayton, who’s in the final year of his current contract, is coming off an impressive 108-yard performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night and has been a serviceable No. 2 option behind rookie Malik Nabers.

The veteran could be a welcomed vertical option in the passing game opposite Collins and second-year receiver Tank Dell. Through eight games, Slayton is averaging 52.5 receiving yards per game.

Houston might also be willing to remain idle if John Metchie III, Xavier Hutchinson or Robert Woods can produce during Thursday’s game against the New York Jets. With a win, the Texans would take sole control of second place in the AFC and remain a game behind the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT.