Tag: Houston Texans

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. 

Azeez Al-Shaair getting suspended for multiple games after Trevor Lawrence hit should surprise no one

This makes sense.

A three-game suspension for Azeez Al-Shaair delivering a late hit to a sliding Trevor Lawrence would be a bit of a shock.

But it’s not just that hit that the NFL cited as the reason for the multi-game suspension after Al-Shaair wrote an apology on Monday.

NFL VP of Football Operations Jon Runyan pointed out Al-Shaair engaging in more dangerous and unsportsmanlike behavior after his ejection, while also noting “multiple offenses for personal fouls and sportsmanship-related rules violations in recent seasons.”

So it’s clearly a message that this was the last straw and this needed to be addressed with more than just one game away from the Houston Texans. Makes sense, especially when you see videos like this one:

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1371]

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.

Jaguars snap counts and splits vs. Texans

Jaguars snap counts and splits vs. Texans

Find Jacksonville’s team-wide snap counts and playing time splits from its Week 13, 23-20 loss against Houston below.

Jaguars offense

From left, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) is tackled by Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (4) as cornerback Jeff Okudah (11) looks on during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
OT Anton Harrison: 70 (100%)

OG Ezra Cleveland: 70 (100%)

OT Walker Little: 70 (100%)

C Mitch Morse: 70 (100%)

OG Brandon Scherff: 70 (100%)

WR Brian Thomas Jr.: 61 (87%)

WR Parker Washington: 56 (80%)

QB Mac Jones: 51 (73%)

TE Evan Engram: 50 (71%)

WR Devin Duvernay: 40 (57%)

RB Travis Etienne Jr.: 37 (53%)

RB Tank Bigsby: 32 (46%)

TE Brenton Strange: 29 (41%)

TE Luke Farrell: 20 (29%)

QB Trevor Lawrence: 19 (27%)

WR Tim Jones: 18 (26%)

WR Elijah Cooks: 7 (10%)

Jaguars defense

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) scores a touchdown breaking from Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) and defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) and defensive tackle Tyler Lacy (93) during the third quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Texans held off the Jaguars 23-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
S Darnell Savage Jr.: 58 (92%)

LB Foyesade Oluokun: 57 (90%)

DE Josh Hines-Allen: 55 (87%)

DE Travon Walker: 51 (81%)

S Andre Cisco: 51 (81%)

CB Ronald Darby: 47 (75%)

LB Devin Lloyd: 45 (71%)

CB Monatric Brown: 44 (70%)

DT Maason Smith: 39 (62%)

S Antonio Johnson: 37 (59%)

CB Tyson Campbell: 35 (56%)

DT DaVon Hamilton: 31 (49%)

DE Arik Armstead: 30 (48%)

LB Ventrell Miller: 29 (46%)

DT Jeremiah Ledbetter: 24 (38%)

DT Tyler Lacy: 24 (38%)

CB Jarrian Jones: 19 (30%)

DE Myles Cole: 13 (21%)

S Andrew Wingard: 4 (6%)

Jaguars special teams

Dec 1, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans place kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (15) kicks a field goal against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

S Daniel Thomas: 24 (89%)

LB Caleb Johnson: 24 (89%)

LB Chad Muma: 24 (89%)

WR Tim Jones: 19 (70%)

TE Brenton Strange: 18 (67%)

LB Ventrell Miller: 15 (56%)

TE Josiah Deguara: 15 (56%)

CB Montaric Brown: 14 (52%)

S Antonio Johnson: 14 (52%)

WR Devin Duvernay: 10 (37%)

TE Luke Farrell: 10 (37%)

RB Keilan Robinson: 10 (37%)

K Cam Little: 8 (30%)

P Logan Cooke: 7 (26%)

LS Ross Matiscik: 7 (26%)

LB Foyesade Oluokun: 5 (19%)

DE Josh Hines-Allen: 5 (19%)

DE Travon Walker: 5 (19%)

CB Ronald Darby: 5 (19%)

DT DaVon Hamilton: 5 (19%)

DT Jeremiah Ledbetter: 5 (19%)

WR Elijah Cooks: 4 (15%)

LB Devin Lloyd: 4 (15%)

OT Anton Harrison: 3 (11%)

OG Ezra Cleveland: 3 (11%)

OT Walker Little: 3 (11%)

DT Tyler Lacy: 3 (11%)

C Luke Fortner: 3 (11%)

OT Cole Van Lanen: 3 (11%)

OG Blake Hance: 3 (11%)

Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence, Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair address illegal hit

Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence, Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair address illegal hit

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair addressed the concussion-inducing, illegal hit the latter delivered the former in Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to Houston on Sunday.

Lawrence was removed from the game in the second quarter after Al-Shaair launched and hit him in the head and neck area as the quarterback slid to conclude a six-yard rush, which led the Jaguars and Texans’ benches to clear and multiple skirmishes to ensue.

On Sunday evening, Lawrence revealed he was home and improving after entering the NFL’s concussion protocol.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out / been praying for me. I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all,” Lawrence said via X/Twitter.

Al-Shaair was ejected from the game and penalized for unnecessary roughness following the strike. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram and cornerback Jarrian Jones received personal foul penalties for retaliatory actions amid the brawling; Jones was disqualified for throwing a punch at a player.

Al-Shaair apologized to Lawrence, addressed the quarterback’s teammates and condemned discriminating personal attacks he described experiencing in the aftermath of the play in a Monday morning post.

“I’ve always played the game as hard as I could. Never with the intent to harm anyone and anybody that knows me knows that. My goal is to hit you as hard as I can then I pray you’re still able to get up and play the next play. And when the game is over go home to your family unharmed because it’s not personal it’s just competition! We both are trying to do the same thing which is provide for our families!” Al-Shaair wrote.

“I genuinely didn’t see [Lawrence] sliding until it was too late. And it all happens in the blink of an eye. To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening. 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.’

“To the rest of his teammates I can definitely understand you having his back and defending him in a situation like that. 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. God knows my intentions and anyone who has ever been a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart.”

Referee Land Clark and the game’s officiating crew determined additional penalties were not warranted for Al-Shaair’s actions following his ejection, per the game’s pool report.

Al-Shaair removed his helmet and jarred with multiple Jaguars, including offensive lineman Brandon Scherff and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., while being escorted from the field by teammates.

A fan threw a water bottle toward Al-Shaair and hit Texans linebacker Will Anderson Jr. in the head as they approached Houston’s locker room tunnel, prompting a heated response from Al-Shaair. The fan was reportedly later removed from the game.

The NFL had yet to issue further discipline for Al-Shaair’s tackle or the fighting between the Jaguars and Texans that followed at press time.

Azeez Al-Shaair writes lengthy apology to Trevor Lawrence after awful late hit

“To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening.”

There was no question that Azeez Al-Shaair delivered a horribly dangerous hit on Trevor Lawrence that left the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback concussed and the Houston Texans linebacker ejected.

Al-Shaair took to social media to post a lengthy apology to Lawrence a day after the hit.

He said he “genuinely didn’t see him sliding until it was too late. And it all happens in the blink of an eye.”

“To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening,” he added. He went on to say he understood Lawrence’s Jaguars teammates having the QB’s back and had a message for those who sent awful messages to him.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1371]

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence provides update following Texans game

Trevor Lawrence has responded since leaving Sunday’s game due to the hit by Azeez Al-Shaair.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence seems to be fine after leaving Sunday’s 23-20 loss against the Houston Texans in the second quarter.

Lawrence, who was knocked out by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after trying to slide for a first down, tweeted late Sunday evening that he was fine after being carted off.

After the hit, a brawl ensued between Texans and Jaguars players. Tight end Evan Engram shoved Al-Shaair to the grass and the two sides went back and forth toward the Jaguars’ sideline.

The fight got so bad that Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans had to come on the field to grab Al-Shaair and try to calm the sixth-year veteran.

That’s not what we’re coaching,” Ryans said postgame. “We want to be smart in everything we do and not hurt the team, (not) get a penalty there. We just have to be smarter when the quarterback is going down.”

Al-Shaair was ejected for his role in the incident. The fighting didn’t stop there since the linebacker continued to jaw back at Jaguars players while being escorted off the field. He ripped off his helmet and tried to go after offensive lineman Brandon Scherff but was restrained by several teammates.

Al-Shaair also exchanged words with Jaguars fans after linebacker Will Anderson Jr. was hit in the helmet by a water bottle.

“Azeez is a smart player, a really great leader for us,” Ryans said. “We felt his presence not being there. His loss, it really affected us on the defensive side.”

This isn’t Al-Shaair’s first time getting into an altercation with an opposing player. During Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears, he punched running back Roschon Johnson on the sidelines.

This came after he had a questionable hit on quarterback Caleb Williams when Williams was sprinting toward the sideline.

Al-Shaair was also at the center of a play that led to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen having to leave for a series after hitting his head on the turf, though the All-Pro pass was already going down before Al-Shaair made contact.

“My prayers go to Trevor and I really hope and pray he’s OK,” Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “Praying to his family as well. Still rocking with Azeez. I don’t think that was his intent.”

Lawrence finished the game 4-of-10 passing for 41 yards and an interception before leaving. Mac Jones closed out the final two quarters and threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns.

The Texans will be on a bye next week before taking on the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 15.

Texans defend LB Azeez Al-Shaair after ‘dirty hit’ on Jagaurs QB Trevor Lawrence

Multiple Houston Texans players voice their thoughts on Azeez Al-Shaair’s hit against Trevor Lawrence.

In a game that seemed to be droll entering halftime, one play woke up fans across the NFL world just behind halftime.

The Houston Texans secured a 23-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday afternoon, but it was a footnote in the scuffle that occurred between the two sidelines because of a hit.

Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair drilled Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence late as he had given himself up on a slide while trying to pick up the first down. With Lawrence sliding feet first, Al-Shaair dove at him and delivered a blow with his forearm to the head.

While Lawrence appeared to be knocked unconscious, Jaguars tight end Evan Engram shoved Al-Shaair to the ground in retaliation. Multiple other players from either side got involved as the swarm carried over toward Jacksonville’s.

Things got so far out of control that Texans coach DeMeco Ryans came across the field to grab Al-Shaair himself to try and calm down the veteran defender. Lawrence, who returned Sunday for the first time since Week 9, was carted off and ruled out with a head injury.

“That’s not what we’re coaching,” Ryans told reporters postgame. “We want to be smart in everything we do and not hurt the team, (not) get a penalty there. We just have to be smarter when the quarterback is going down.”

Al-Shaair, along with Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones, were ejected from the game because of their role in the aftermath. Even after the decision was final, Al-Shaair continued jawing with Jaguars players as he headed to the locker room.

Eventually, linebacker Henry To’oTo’o, defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and running back Joe Mixon made sure the situation didn’t continue.

“Just an unfortunate play, not representative of who Azeez is,” Ryans said. “Azeez is a smart player, a really great leader for us. We felt his presence not being there, his loss, it really affected us on the defensive side.”

To’oTo’o told reporters that Jacksonville players were trying to defend their quarterback, so they had to go to bat for their linebacker. Quarterback C.J. Stroud voiced his support for Al-Shaair and offered condolences to Lawrence for a speedy recovery.

“I’m still rocking with Azeez,” Stroud said. “I don’t think that was his intent. I pray that Trevor is OK and that his family is right there with him.”

Houston won’t know if Al-Shaair will be suspended until after the bye week, but Ryans said the team would address the linebacker personally about the incident and “move forward from it.”

“It’s not what we’re coaching,” Ryans said. “Didn’t want to see the melee and all the aftermath, that’s not what we’re about, not representative of us.”