A melee ensued after Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair blasted Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence late in the second quarter of Sunday’s matchup.
Lawrence scrambled and slid on a 2nd-and-7 at Jacksonville’s 49-yard line before Al-Shaair flew in and hit him. Subsequently, Jaguars tight end Evan Engram shoved Al-Shaair, resulting in the brawl along Jacksonville’s sideline.
Both teams were flagged for unnecessary roughness. Al-Shaair and Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones were ejected.
According to Fox Sports, Lawrence was ruled out of the game with a concussion. Backup QB Mac Jones will fill in for him.
Fox Sports analyst Daryl Johnston lambasted Al-Shaair for his hit on Lawrence.
“It’s everything you’re not supposed to do,” Johnston said, per Awful Announcing’s X account. “Everything…There’s an honor that you give your opponent on the football field, and you respect him.”
This isn’t the first incident involving Al-Shaair. ESPN’s Michael DiRocco reported he was fined $11,817 after punching Bears running back Roschon Johnson in a Week 2 win.
It’s fair to wonder if Al-Shaair will be subject to more discipline, considering the hit seemed to be a cheap shot.
