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.”
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans passionately stood by linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and said the Jaguars “overreacted” to the late hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. pic.twitter.com/mHhWcZNcx0
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) December 2, 2024
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.”
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans ‘We stand behind Azeez’ Al-Shaair. Ryans emphasized that linebacker plays the game the right way and is being mischaracterized called him a ‘great human being’ was critical of Jaguars ‘overreaction’ to hit on Trevor Lawrence @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/GDrry40lOX
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 2, 2024
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.”
“We stand behind Azeez” DeMeco Ryans said. He reiterated the unfortunate nature of the hit. Explains the onus is on the defender so much. He said the Jaguars overreacted from their sideline. #Texans
— Cody Stoots (@Cody_Stoots) December 2, 2024
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.”