Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair Suspended After 'Illegal Hit' That Injured Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence

Mar. 15, 2025

Azeez Al-Shaair.Photo:Tim Warner/Getty

Tim Warner/Getty

The NFL announced that Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been suspended for multiple games after injuring Jacksonville Jaguars quarterbackTrevor Lawrence.

In an official statementissued on Tuesday, Dec. 3, the league said that Al-Shaair, 27, will have to sit out three games without pay “for repeated violations of rules intended to protect the health and safety of players and promote sportsmanship.”

Trevor Lawrence.Mike Carlson/Getty

Mike Carlson/Getty

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His message continued, calling out Al-Shaair’s unsportsmanlike behavior on the field. “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… 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,” he wrote.

Azeez Al-Shaair.Cooper Neill/Getty

Cooper Neill/Getty

Al-Shaair will be able to return to the Texans’ roster after the team’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. According toThe Associated Press, he plans to appeal the suspension.

The incident with Lawrence marks the third time this season that Al-Shaair has been punished for his behavior on the field. He was previously fined $11,255 in November for an out of bounds hit against Titans running back Tony Pollard, which followed another fine for punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson, the AP reported.

The day before his suspension was announced, Al-Shaair posted a message onXexplaining that the hit against Lawrence was not intentional, while also calling out his critics. “My goal is to hit you as hard as I can then I pray you’re still able to get up and play the next play. And when the game is over go home to your family unharmed because it’s not personal it’s just competition!,” the player wrote.

source: people.com