Tag: trevor lawrence jaguars

Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair comments on return from suspension

Azeez Al-Shaair has spoken for the first time since returning from suspension for the Houston Texans.

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is back with the team following his three-game suspension.

During his time away from the facility, the defensive captain took time to work on himself. Now, he’s letting the world into his thoughts.

Al-Shaair posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, expressing his gratitude to be reinstated by the league after his illegal hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The veteran linebacker also explained how the incident changed him and his play style moving forward.

“I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best of me to the point where I completely lost it – was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me,” Al-Shaair posted. “I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked at my life to obtain. That was not the way I wanted to represent myself or my family, and I will continue to learn and grow from that moment.”

Following the hit, Al-Shaair and Jaguars tight end Evan Engram got involved in an altercation, which led to a full-out brawl on the field. He was ejected and needed to be restrained by teammates as he left the field while listening to the boos of fans in Duval County.

After self-reflecting on his actions, Al-Shaair multiple Texans personnel members, including owners Cal and Hannah McNair along with general manager Nick Caserio and coach DeMeco Ryans for standing behind him.
Ryans and Caserio released statements in support of Al-Shaair, calling out the league for its behavior toward Al-Shaair’s character.

During his time away, Al-Shaair said he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent and Vice President of policy and rules administration Jon Runyan. During the meeting, the 27-year-old linebacker expressed his displeasure with Runyan’s characterization in his suspension notice, in which he said he had a “lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football” and didn’t “reflect the core values of the NFL.”

“Without going into detail, the meeting we had was productive and gave me hope for moving forward and playing the game that I love with continued best intentions, while also not having my character and integrity unjustifiably smeared,” Al-Shaair wrote.

Al-Shaair, who was called out for his stance during the “My Cause My Cleats” movement, shared a message surrounding the negativity directed his way because of the suspension.

“I’ll say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good you planted in other’s lives can grow into the very tree that shades you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,” Al-Shaair said.

The Texans will need Al-Shaair to bolster the defense entering the regular-season finale against the Tennesseee Titans on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

CBS Sports reveals more insight to Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair’s suspension

There’s more than meets the eye with Azeez Al-Shaair’s suspension coming forward as the 2024 season concludes.

Azeez Al-Shaair won’t be back for the Houston Texans until the Week 18 finale against the Tennessee Titans.

He’s also dealing with more issues surrounding his contract as Houston prepares for its Week 15 battle against the Miami Dolphins.

Al-Shaair, who was suspended for three games because of an illegal hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, will forfeit his next three game checks, but that’s not all he’s losing toward his salary.

According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, Al-Shaair’s $9 million guaranteed salary for the 2025 season will now automatically void due to the suspension. In total, Al-Shaair will lose $9.34 million because of the over $300,000 he’ll forfeit over the next three games.

The Texans inked the sixth-year linebacker to a three-year deal last offseason for $34 million, $21.5 million of which was guaranteed. Because the $9 million in base salary for 2025 automatically voids, Houston now has the option to release Al-Shaair after this season at no cost to the team.

But will they? According to Jones, no. Houston believes Al-Shaair is an anchor to DeMeco Ryans’ defense and will remain a part of the organization as the defensive captain for the foreseeable future.

“He’s part of our plans moving forward,” a Texans source told Jones. 

That money could be earned back if and when he makes the final 53-man roster next season, but the difference is that it won’t be guaranteed. Per the contract, the $9 million “shall immediately be deemed NULL AND VOID from the beginning and in its entirety regardless of whether or not the 2025 Guarantee had otherwise been earned according to its terms at the time of Player’s Default.”

Jones mentioned that Houston couldn’t use its own discretion and reverse the void. Overall, this is a moot point since Houston knows that Al-Shaair is a part of its foundation.

If he wasn’t, general manager Nick Caserio and Ryans wouldn’t have been so vocal when it was announced his suspension would be upheld by the league office following a hearing with NFLPA rep Ramon Foster. 

“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 that quite frankly don’t know anything about Azeez Al-Shaair,” Caserio said. “And 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.”

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.

Doug Pederson clears the air on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence’s season-ending injury

Doug Pederson let it be known that Azeez Al-Shaair’s hit against Trevor Lawrence was not why he was placed on the injured reserve.

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair drilled Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence as he began to slide during the second quarter of Sunday’s 23-20 win.

That’s not why the Jaguars are placing him on the second-ending injured reserve.

Third-year coach Doug Pederson told reporters Friday that Lawrence’s arrival on the reserved list is because of his lingering issue with his non-throwing, not the head injury.

“The reason for IR is not the injury from Sunday,” Pederson said. “It’s not that. It’s more the shoulder.”

Lawrence, who was ruled out with a concussion for the second half of Week 13’s game, missed two games after hurting his left shoulder during Week 9’s loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. He played through the pain while trying to mount a comeback but missed back-to-back weeks of practice.

Mac Jones, who took over for Lawrence and nearly led a comeback in the fourth quarter, replaced Lawrence for the two games while the former No. 1 overall pick was recovering. He’s expected to take over for the remainder of the regular season.

Pederson said that Lawrence now plans to undergo surgery on his left shoulder, thus ending a potential return in Week 18. He also acknowledged that the concussion wasn’t mutually exclusive from the IR placement, but  Lawrence would have likely missed Week 14’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans.

“The injury Sunday doesn’t help, right?” Pederson said. “But it’s just the right decision right now to go ahead and just shut him down and let him get fully healed. Clear the protocol first and then tackle the other injury later on. So that’s our main focus right now, to make sure he’s 100% and get him healthy and get himself ready for the offseason.”

Al-Shaair, who’s suspended for three games because of the hit and later ejection, apologized to Lawrence on social media Monday morning. Pederson said Lawrence’s shoulder “didn’t get any worse” because of the hit.

In 10 games, Lawrence completed 60.6% of his passes for 2,045 yards and 11 touchdowns against seven interceptions. Jacksonville agreed with Lawrence before the start of the 2024 season on a five-year, $275 million extension, which includes a $37.5 million signing bonus and $142 million fully guaranteed

“Where we are in our season, it’s a chance for him to get healthy right now as he looks into the offseason and next season as well.” Pederson said.

Al-Shaair, who appealed his suspension but was denied by NFLPA representative Ramon Foster, will return for the team’s season finale against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.

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.

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 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.”

Jaguars vs. Texans injury report: Latest updates, news for Friday

Here’s the injury report from Friday’s practice as the Houston Texans prepare to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Here are the full injury reports from Thursday’s practice for the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of their Week 13 matchup at EverBank Stadium:

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)

OUT

  • LB Yasir Abdullah (hamstring)

QUESTIONABLE

  • QB Trevor Lawrence (non-throwing shoulder)

ACTIVE

  • CB Tyson Campbell (shoulder)
  • RB Tank Bigsby (ankle)
  • OL Brandon Scherff (knee/shoulder)

Note: Campbell was a limited participant in Friday’s practice. 

Houston Texans (7-5)

OUT

  • DT Folorunso Fatukasi (foot)
  • DB Jalen Pitre (shoulder)

QUESTIONABLE

  • WR Xavier Hutchinson (shoulder)

ACTIVE

  • OT Blake Fisher (concussion)
  • DB Jimmie Ward (knee)
  • LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee)
  • DE Will Anderson Jr. (ankle)
  • DE Denico Autry (knee/oblique)

* Bold indicates an upgrade from Thursday’s practice.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.