Azeez Al-Shaair, a linebacker for the Houston Texans, was suspended by the NFL for three games on Tuesday morning for an unacceptable and significant violation of the rules.
Following Al-Shaair’s violent and unlawful hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the second quarter of the Texans’ 23–20 victory on Sunday, the league issued the decision.
Due to the hit he gave Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on Sunday, Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is now expected to get a suspension. How long is the only question.Twitter: pic.twitter.com/P8phiFecS02
In a letter announcing the suspension, NFL vice president of policy and rules administration Jon Runyan stated that Al-Shaair’s repeated infractions of player safety regulations following his hit on Lawrence endanger the health and safety of both you and your opponents and will not be accepted.
The league observed how Al-Shaair hit a sliding Lawrence in the helmet by leading with his forearm. During the play, Lawrence’s head struck the turf with such force that he sustained a concussion and was unable to play again. The two teams’ players got into a fight after the hit.
According to Runyan, the video shows you hitting Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the head/neck region after he obviously falls feet-first. When you had the time and space to avoid making contact, you led with your forearm and helmet and struck your opponent hard in the head/neck region.
DeMeco Ryans, the head coach of Houston, appeared to hold Lawrence accountable for the hit and injuries while expressing support for Al-Shaair.
On Tuesday morning, Ryans told reporters, “We stand behind Azeez and everything that came from that.” The unlucky quarterback hit, of course. It’s twofold, though. These days, many quarterbacks attempt to exploit the regulation when they slide late in an attempt to gain extra yardage.
Now that you are a defender, you bear a great deal of responsibility. You never know what a guy is thinking, whether it’s on the quarterback or the sidelines. It’s impossible to tell if a man is staying up and still running. You’re not sure. You hit the person after you receive a late slide. Unfortunately, Trevor was injured. We hope Trevor’s doing well. However, you must descend if we’re sliding.
Al-Shaair has developed a reputation for overly physical play that has sometimes crossed the line. Al-Shaair was flagged and later fined $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard last week. He also was fined $11,817 earlier this year after he punched Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. The scuffle occurred after his hit on Bears quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline wasn t flagged.
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