The NFL suspended Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair three video games for repeated violations of participant security guidelines after his hit to the pinnacle of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on Sunday.
Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vp of coverage and guidelines administration, introduced the suspension Tuesday, including in a letter to Al-Shaair that the league deemed the hit “unacceptable” and that his “continued disregard” for guidelines governing participant security “is not going to be tolerated.”
Al-Shaair was ejected within the second quarter of Houston’s victory Sunday over Jacksonville after his violent blow to the face masks of Lawrence whereas the quarterback was sliding to the bottom, inflicting the Jaguars star to endure a concussion.
“You have been concerned in a play that the [NFL] considers unacceptable and a severe violation of the taking part in guidelines,” Runyan wrote Tuesday. “Video reveals you placing the pinnacle/neck space of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide. … You led along with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow to the pinnacle/neck space of your opponent whenever you had time and house to keep away from such contact.”
Lawrence clenched each fists after the hit — actions according to what’s known as the “fencing response,” which could be frequent after a traumatic mind damage. He was on the bottom for a number of minutes as teammates got here to his protection and mobbed Al-Shaair.
Runyan mentioned in his letter that Al-Shaair “proceeded to interact in a brawl, which you escalated whenever you pulled an opponent all the way down to the bottom by his facemask,” and likewise added that after being ejected, the six-year veteran “eliminated your helmet and reengaged along with your opponent whereas strolling down and throughout the sphere, which began one other bodily confrontation close to the tip zone.”
Al-Shaair will enchantment the suspension, a supply instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The enchantment can be heard by one of many appeals officers collectively appointed by the league and the NFLPA: Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae or Jordy Nelson.
If Al-Shaair serves the total three video games, he can be eligible to return for Houston’s regular-season finale towards the Tennessee Titans.
Al-Shaair was flagged and later fined $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Titans working again Tony Pollard in Week 12. He additionally was fined $11,817 earlier this yr after he punched Chicago Bears working again Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. That occurred throughout a scuffle that began after his arduous shot on quarterback Caleb Williams close to the sideline wasn’t flagged.
“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the sport of soccer and all those that play, coach, and revel in watching it, is troubling and doesn’t replicate the core values of the NFL,” Runyan wrote. “Your continued disregard for NFL taking part in guidelines places the well being and security of each you and your opponents in jeopardy and won’t be tolerated.”
Al-Shaair took to social media Monday to apologize to Lawrence, saying first that he did not see Lawrence sliding till “it was too late” and that it occurred “within the blink of a watch” earlier than including that he “would by no means need to see any participant damage due to a success I placed on them.”
Al-Shaair additionally mentioned he understood why Jacksonville’s gamers got here to the protection of Lawrence within the brawl following the hit, however Texans coach DeMeco Ryans mentioned later Monday that Jaguars gamers “overreacted” to the late hit.
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson mentioned Monday that the crew would wait till Lawrence clears the concussion protocol earlier than deciding whether or not to close him down for the rest of the season. He additionally mentioned they’d take Lawrence’s sprained left AC joint into consideration, though he added that the sooner damage didn’t get aggravated by Al-Shaair’s hit.
ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime, Michael DiRocco and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
