Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was carted off Sunday after a grimy hit from Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair left him sprawled on the EverBank Stadium subject.
The hit sparked a brawl between the groups and led to the ejection of Al-Shaair and Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones from the Texans’ 23-20 win. Jaguars tight finish Evan Engram was additionally penalized for pointless roughness for his position within the ensuing struggle.
Lawrence finally left the sphere sitting upright on a cart. He was ruled out of the game shortly thereafter with a head harm. Backup Mac Jones took over at quarterback.
The hit befell within the second quarter as Houston held a 6-0 lead. Lawrence scrambled on second-and-7 close to midfield and slid close to the road of acquire. As Lawrence slid, Al-Shaair dove headfirst and made direct contact to Lawrence’s higher physique.
A flag was instantly thrown. Al-Shaair’s first response was to protest the penalty earlier than he was instantly hit by Engram. A brawl ensued and spilled over onto the Jaguars’ sideline.
Al-Shaair and two of his teammates have been swarmed by Jaguars earlier than officers finally subdued the melee. Lawrence remained mendacity face-up on the sphere earlier than the struggle settled. He was finally capable of get up earlier than leaving the sphere on a cart.
Once the preliminary struggle settled, Jaguars guard Brandon Scherff approached Al-Shaair, and one other scuffle ensued. After the ejections, Al-Shaair was escorted off the sphere by a police officer, a number of Texans staffers and his teammate Will Anderson Jr. Al-Shaair jawed with followers as he approached the tunnel.
Fans pelted Al-Shaair with objects as he left the sphere, in keeping with the CBS broadcast. The recreation then resumed with Jones at quarterback for Jacksonville.
Jacksonville fell behind 23-6 however Jones threw a pair of landing passes to Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. within the fourth quarter earlier than Texans working again Joe Mixon transformed a 3rd down and Houston ran out the clock.
Jones completed 20 of 32 for 235 yards and the 2 touchdowns in reduction of Lawrence, whereas Washington had six catches for 103 yards. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud went 22 of 34 for 242 yards and a TD, Mixon rushed 20 occasions for 101 yards and a TD, and Nico Collins caught eight passes for 119 yards.
Postgame reactions to hit
After the sport, Jaguars security Andrew Wingard spoke about staff unity and applauded Jones for coming to Lawrence’s protection within the post-hit melee.
“That’s our brother,” Wingard mentioned of Lawrence. “We trip out for one another. It’s not a staff — we’re not gonna splinter off, and also you noticed it. Jarrion received ejected. He’s a rookie on the market throwing punches.
“You like to see that, actually. You hate it for his pockets. But that is the kind of staff we have.”
In the Texans locker room Stroud defended Al-Shaair whereas sending nicely needs to Lawrence.
“I actually hope and pray he is OK,” Stroud mentioned of Lawrence. “Prayers to his household as nicely. Still rocking with Azeez. I do not assume that was his intent.
“I pray that Trevor’s OK.”
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson referred to as the hit “a play that has no enterprise in our league.”
