Texans’ Azeez Al-Shair received a three-game suspension after Trevor Lawrence’s hit

The NFL has suspended Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shair for three games for repeated violations of player safety rules after he hit the head of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on Sunday.

Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of policy and rules administration, announced the suspension on Tuesday, adding in a letter to Al-Shaair that the league found the hit “unacceptable” and that his “continued disregard” for player safety rules “Not doing so will be tolerated.”

Al-Shair was ejected in the second quarter of Houston’s win over Jacksonville on Sunday after violently punching Lawrence in the facemask as the quarterback slid to the ground, causing the Jaguars’ star to suffer a concussion.

“You were involved in a game that the (NFL) considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the rules of the game,” Runyan wrote Tuesday. “The video shows you hitting the head/neck area of ​​Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly falls to the ground during a feet-first slide. … You led with your forearm and helmet and delivered a powerful blow to the head/neck area of ​​your opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact.”

Lawrence clenched both fists after the punch – movements consistent with the so-called “fencing response” that can often occur after a traumatic brain injury. He lay on the ground for several minutes as teammates defended him and harassed Al-Shaair.

Runyan said in his letter that Al-Shair “engaged in a fight that escalated when an opponent was dragged to the ground by his facemask,” adding that the six-year veteran “pulled yours away” after being ejected. helmet and again came into contact with your opponent while going down and across the field, resulting in another physical confrontation near the end zone.

Al-Shair will appeal the ban, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The appeal will be heard by one of the appeal commissioners jointly appointed by the league and the NFLPA: Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae or Jordy Nelson.

If Al-Shair plays the entire three games, he will be eligible to play again for Houston’s regular season finale against the Tennessee Titans.

Al-Shaair was cited and later fined $11,255 for hitting Titans running back Tony Pollard out of bounds in Week 12. He was also fined $11,817 earlier this year after punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. This occurred during a scuffle that began after his hard shot at quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline went unanswered.

“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach and enjoy watching it is concerning and does not reflect the core values ​​of the NFL,” Runyan wrote. “Your continued disregard for the NFL rules of the game endangers the health and safety of you and your opponents and will not be tolerated.”

Al-Shair took to social media on Monday to apologize to Lawrence. He initially said he only saw Lawrence slip when “it was too late” and that it happened “in the blink of an eye,” before adding that he would “never have wanted” to see a player go through a hit that I gave him is hurt.

Al-Shair also said he understood why the Jacksonville players defended Lawrence in the brawl that followed the hit, but Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said later Monday that the Jaguars players “overreacted” to the late hit.

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said Monday that the team will wait for Lawrence to clear concussion protocol before deciding whether to suspend him for the rest of the season. He also said they would consider Lawrence’s sprained left AC joint, although he added that the earlier injury was not aggravated by Al-Shaair’s punch.

ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime, Michael DiRocco and The Associated Press contributed to this report.