NFL upholds suspension for Texans’ Al-Shaair after hit on Lawrence

For the first time in five NFL seasons, an on-field incident will lead to multi-game suspension for player.

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair will miss three games after the NFL denied his appeal to the suspension, sources have confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. Al-Shaair was handed a three-game suspension for a hit on Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the second quarter of the Texans’ Week 13 game against the Jaguars.

Ramon Foster, one of four hearing officers jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA, heard the appeal and upheld the suspension.

With this decision, Al-Shaair will be the first player to serve a suspension for on-field conduct since Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi and Maurkice Pouncey were suspended for a fight during a Browns-Steelers game on Nov. 15, 2019.

Al-Shaair was upset by the NFL’s ruling and took to social media to voice his displeasure.

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‘If you want me to be your villain, I’ll be your villain,’ he wrote in a post that included a photo of the Batman villain Joker.

Here’s a recap of how we got here.

Azeez Al-Shaair hit on Trevor Lawrence

Al-Shaair hit Lawrence as the quarterback was sliding to the ground on a scramble in the second quarter.

That hit started a brawl that led to two ejections, one for Al-Shaair and the other for Jaguars defensive back Jarrion Jones.

Lawrence was carted off the field and did not return to the game.

 Al-Shaair apologized to Lawrence in a post on social media the next day.

‘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.’

On Tuesday, the NFL announced a three-game suspension for the Texans linebacker.

Response to Azeez Al-Shaair hit

NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote in the suspension announcement that Al-Shaair’s hit was a ‘play that the League considers unacceptable’ and is a violation of playing rules.

“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 said after the game the hit was ‘unfortunate’ and ‘not what we’re coaching’ but that it does not represent Al-Shaair as a player. Houston general manager Nick Caserio took issue with how the league portrayed Al-Shaair in its letter as well as lack of consistency.

‘Let’s look at this season. We have multiple situations, multiple examples,’ Caserio said. ‘(Brian) Branch ejected against Green Bay, plays the next week against us. Derwin (James) ejected, got suspended for one game.’

Caserio pointed out that Al-Shaair has never been ejected or suspended before this and that other players, including former Texans safety Kareem Jackson, were ejected multiple times before earning a suspension.

‘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,’ Caserio said. ‘Quite frankly, it’s embarrassing.’

Azeez Al-Shaair social media post responds to suspension

Al-Shaair took to social media shortly after news broke that the NFL was upholding his three-game suspension.

Below is a look at his post, which was uploaded to Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), among other social platforms.

NFL suspensions in 2024

Al-Shaair is the latest notable NFL player to receive a suspension this season. Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was suspended for two games for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances (PES) policy. Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James was suspended for one game for repeated violations of playing rules.

When will Azeez Al-Shaair return from suspension?

The Texans linebacker will be available again for Houston’s Week 18 game on the road against the Tennessee Titans.