Tex

Yesterday at 09:22 AM

Punishment has been doled out for a scary hit over the weekend.

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been suspended three games by the NFL for his late hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the league announced Tuesday.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Al-Shaair will appeal the suspension.

The incident occurred in Sunday’s outing. As Lawrence slid after a rush to avoid contact, Al-Shaair came in for a hit that went right at the QB’s head, igniting a brawl between the two teams. Lawrence stayed down after the play and was ultimately carted off the field with a concussion.

The release from the league stated that the length of Al-Shaair’s suspension is based on “repeated violations of rules intended to protect the health and safety of players and promote sportsmanship.”

“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,” NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan said in the statement. “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.”

Following the hit, a brawl broke out between the two sides, with Al-Shaair pulling an opponent down to the ground by his facemask, further escalating the tensions. Then, after being removed from the game, he removed his helmet and continued to engage with the Jaguars while walking off, prompting another confrontation near the end zone.

After the game, Al-Shaair offered an apology to Lawrence and the Jaguars.

“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,” he said in a post to social media. “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.”

Al-Shaair is slated to return in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, the final week of the regular season, and will miss games against the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.

Meanwhile, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Monday that no decision has been made yet on Lawrence’s availability for the rest of the season. The QB is in the concussion protocol. Jacksonville is currently 2-10 and sits last in the AFC East.