By KRISTIE RIEKEN
HOUSTON — Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended by the NFL without pay for three games Tuesday for repeated violations of player safety rules following his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair’s punishment was announced by NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan. In his letter to Al-Shaair, Runyan noted that he has had multiple offenses for personal fouls and sportsmanship-related rules violations in recent seasons.
Back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter of Houston’s 23-20 win on Sunday. He initiated a slide before Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback.
In his letter to Al-Shaair, Runyan called the hit “unacceptable and a serious violation of the 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.”
Al-Shaair is appealing the suspension, according to a person with knowledge of the decision.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the appeal is pending.
Houston general manager Nick Caserio defended Al-Shaair and said he doesn’t believe the league is using consistency in issuing punishments like these.
“I probably speak for a lot of teams, not only the Houston Texans, but I think that’s all teams ask for is consistency from the league,” he said. “And 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 pointed to other players who have been ejected for illegal hits this season who have either not been suspended or only suspended for one game.
If the suspension is upheld, Al-Shaair won’t be eligible to return to Houston’s active roster until after the team’s Christmas Day game against the Baltimore Ravens. Al-Shaair has a base salary of $1.5 million this season, meaning it will cost him about $265,000 if the three-game suspension is upheld.
Lawrence clenched both fists after the hit — movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. He was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense and mobbed Al-Shaair in what escalated into a brawl.
As Al-Shaair was leaving the field after being ejected, fans started screaming at him. Jaguars veteran guard Brandon Scherff joined in, prompting another altercation with Al-Shaair. Texans teammate Will Anderson grabbed Al-Shaair and was escorting him off the field when a fan threw a water bottle and hit Anderson in the helmet. The fan was later ejected.
Runyan also outlined Al-Shaair’s behavior after the hit in announcing the suspension.
“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,” he wrote. “After the referee announced that you were disqualified for the hit and your unsportsmanlike acts, you removed your helmet and reengaged with your opponent while walking down and across the field, which started another physical confrontation near the end zone.”
This is the third time this season Al-Shaair has been punished by the league. Last week, he was flagged and later fined $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard.
He was fined earlier this year after he punched Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. That occurred during a scuffle that started after his hard shot on quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline wasn’t flagged.
“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 told Al-Shaair in the letter. “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.”
Caserio was outraged by that part of Runyan’s letter.
“The most important thing is the health and safety of the players and the health and well being of Trevor and hopefully Trevor is going to be OK,” Caserio said. “But to speak on Azeez’s intentionality about what he intended to do and some of the comments that have been made quite frankly, it’s embarrassing. So we’re going to support Azeez. We love everything about him. We’re glad he’s a part of this team.”
Al-Shaair apologized to Lawrence in a long post on X on Monday, where he said he didn’t see Lawrence sliding until “it was too late” and that it happened “in the blink of an eye” before saying he was sorry for the hit.
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said Sunday it was a play that “really has no business being in our league,” and said Monday that the team is considering shutting Lawrence down for the season.
Former Houston Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman was suspended for three games for repeatedly violating player safety rules last November. His suspension was reduced to two games following an appeal.
Kareem Jackson had a suspension for repeatedly violating player safety reduced from four games to two games last year while playing for the Denver Broncos. He was suspended again for four games later in the season and that suspension was upheld.
AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.
