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Texans HC DeMeco Ryans reacts to Azeez Al-Shaair hit that took Trevor Lawrence out of game

Brian Jones Profile Picby:Brian Jones•12/01/24•

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Azeez Al-Shaair
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans will talk to Azeez Al-Shaair about the hit he made on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. After the Texans’ 23-20 victory over the Jaguars, Ryans spoke to reporters about the hit that took Lawrence out of the game.

“It’s unfortunate with the hit. …That’s not what we’re coaching,” Ryans said, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. “Want to be smart in everything we do and not hurt the team. …We just have to be smarter when the quarterback is going down.

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“Not representative of who Azeez is. Azeez is a smart player, really a great leader for us. We felt his presence not being there. His loss, it really affected us on the defensive side. Not what we’re coaching, you did not want to see the aftermath. That’s not what we’re about. We’ll move forward.”

Azeez Al-Shaair’s hit on Trevor Lawrence happened in the second quarter of Sunday’s game. As Lawrence slid after a first-down run, Al-Shaair hit him in the head area. Al-Shaair was ejected from the game, and Lawrence was carted off the field.

More on Azeez Al-Shaair’s season and career

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The NFL will likely fine Al-Shaair for the hit, but this isn’t the first time he’s been involved in an incident like this. Per Athlon Sports, the veteran linebacker hit Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams while heading out of bounds in Week 2. As Bears players came to Williams’ defense, Al-Shaair punched Roschon Johnson. Later in the week, Al-Shaair was fined $11,817 for the punch.

Al-Shaair, 27, signed a three-year, $34 million contract with the Texans in March. Before Sunday’s game, Al-Shaair registered 63 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and four passes defended in nine games.

In 2023, Al-Shaair played for the Tennessee Titans and tallied 163 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks and four passes defended. He spent his first four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers (2019-2022) and recorded 199 tackles, 11 tackles for loss two sacks and two interceptions in 56 games with 31 starts.