NFL makes decision on Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair’s appeal of three-game suspension

The NFL has made the final decision on Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair who was recently suspended by the league. Per NFL reporter Ari Meirov, the NFL has upheld Al-Shaair’s three-game suspension. He will miss games against the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. Al-Shaair will be eligible to return in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans.

Al-Shaair was suspended after hitting Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence while sliding to the ground. Lawrence was carted off the field, and Al-Shaair was ejected from the game. On Monday, Al-Shaair issued an apology to Lawrence.

“I’ve always played the game as hard as I could. Never with the intent to harm anyone and anybody that knows me knows that,” Al-Shaair wrote, via X. “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! We both are trying to do the same thing which is provide for our families! I genuinely didn’t see him sliding until it was too late. And it all happens in the blink of an eye.

DeMeco Ryans shows support for Azeez Al-Shaair

“To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening. Before the game we spoke and I told you how it was great to see you back out on the field and wished you well. 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.’ To the rest of his teammates I can definitely understand you having his back and defending him in a situation like that.”

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans seemed to place the blame on Trevor Lawrence. “With the entire Azeez situation, we stand behind Azeez,” Ryans said, via KPRC2. “It’s two-fold. A lot of quarterbacks in this day and age, they try to take advantage of the rule or they slide late and they try to get an extra yard. You’re a defender, a lot of onus is on the defender. Whether it’s on the sideline or whether it’s on the quarterback, you don’t need what a guy is thinking. You don’t know if a guy is staying up and he’s continuing to run. You don’t know, and then you get a late slide and you hit the guy.”