Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence rested at home on Sunday night after a scary late hit to the head by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair during Sunday’s game that resulted in a penalty and an on-field clash between the two teams.
In the second quarter, Lawrence scrambled to his left and slid down well before Al-Shaair delivered a blow to the passer’s head. Lawrence appeared to show the “fencing posture,” a warning sign of a potentially severe head injury where a person extends or flexes their arms.
Al-Shaair was ejected and both teams were assessed personal fouls following a skirmish after the play. Jacksonville’s players said they were standing up for their quarterback after a dirty hit.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out / been praying for me,” Lawrence wrote on X on Sunday night. “I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all.”
On Monday morning, Al-Shaair followed the quarterback to social media to post a lengthy apology.
“I’ve always played the game as hard as I could. Never with the intent to harm anyone and anybody that knows me knows that. …,” the former San Francisco 49er wrote. “I genuinely didn’t see him sliding until it was too late. And it all happens in the blink of an eye.”
The NFL has not announced any additional punishment for Al-Shaair, though he could face a hefty fine and a lengthy suspension. The league often considers the previous context with doling out discipline, which doesn’t bode well for Houston: Al-Shaair was fined $11,817 earlier this season for punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson during a game.
Any suspension for the Florida Atlantic product would not take effect until the Texans’ Dec. 15 game against the Miami Dolphins. Houston is now on its bye week and will not play Sunday.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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