The NFL remains inconsistent in its decision-making and Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is now dealing with the inconsistences.
Al-Shaair was suspended without pay for three games by the league office Tuesday for a hit he delivered against Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence that knocked out the quarterback and led to an altercation on the field.
Al-Shaair, who plans to appeal the suspension with the NFLPA, was ejected during the second quarter for what was viewed as an “illegal hit to a defenseless player.”
“Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide,” Jon Runyon, the NFL’s vice president of football operations and former Houston Oilers player, 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.”
NFL is suspending Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair three games for the hit he delivered Sunday to Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence. pic.twitter.com/knMej2dwzW
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 3, 2024
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Al-Shaair apologized to Lawrence for the hit and to his teammates for his behavior following the ejection. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans defended the sixth-year linebacker, saying it was the Jaguars’ players who started the brawl by shoving Al-Shaair after the hit.
“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.”
Should Al-Shaair’s suspension be upheld, Houston (8-5) won’t see one of its stars return until the season finale against the Titans. Naturally, Texans fans are furious with the NFL’s quick judgement call that doesn’t have a clear construct on what is legal or over excessive.