In NFL News, Azzez Al-Shaair of the Houston Texans has been suspended for three games after his late hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
As Lawrence scrambled and slid, Al-Shaair hit him. Lawrence suffered a concussion. He might miss the remainder of the season. The officials ejected Al-Shaair and a full brawl broke out.
This impacts Lawrence and Jacksonville in the long term. In the short term, it could damage Houston’s playoff hopes.
The League Drops the Hammer
The NFL came down hard on Al-Shaair, complete with a statement tantamount to a public flogging.
Al-Shaair apologized. It’s up to the reader to gauge whether it is an “I’m sorry if anyone was offended that I nearly decapitated Lawrence,” or a heartfelt “I’m sorry.”
He seems sincere.
Still, Al-Shaair has past transgressions on his record. This suspension could go beyond the Lawrence hit and be a cumulative punishment. He will appeal the suspension.
Much of this is due to the backlash and public response. The perpetually image-conscious NFL could not issue a “soft” punishment regardless of the circumstances. Lawrence is one of the league’s most marketable players despite Jacksonville’s struggles. The NFL wants him on the field.
Al-Shaair is a Key Component of Houston’s Defense
Al-Shaair bears understated importance to the Texans’ defense.
He leads the team in solo tackles and is second in assists on tackles. In head coach DeMeco Ryans’ scheme, linebackers are critical as they rush the passer, handle the run, and drop into pass coverage. Ryans was a linebacker as an NFL player. He coached linebackers for the 49ers before he was promoted to defensive coordinator and subsequently hired to be the head man in Houston.
Losing Al-Shaair hurts them beyond the nature of his suspension and the media frenzy surrounding it.
Houston Has Not Yet Sewn Up the AFC South
Houston has a two-game lead over Indianapolis in the AFC South. They won both head-to-head matchups. They have not yet clinched the division.
Houston’s remaining schedule is as follows: Miami, Kansas City, Baltimore, and Tennessee.
Indianapolis plays Denver, Tennessee, the Giants, and Jacksonville (presumably with Mac Jones under center instead of Lawrence, thanks to Al-Shaair).
The Colts refuse to go quietly. At 6-7, they need to win out. If they pull it off and the Texans lose three of four — not out of the question with how shaky they have been — the Colts win the division and the Texans might miss the playoffs entirely.
Fair or not, if this happens, the Al-Shaair hit and his suspension will be viewed as sowing the seeds of their downfall.
-
Tags:
Leave a Comment