Houston Texans outside linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair’s three-game suspension has been upheld after an appeal hearing on Wednesday. The suspension stems from an illegal hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during Sunday’s game. Al-Shaair will miss the Texans’ next three games, including a December 15 game against the Miami Dolphins, a Week 16 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and a Christmas Day contest with the Baltimore Ravens. He will be eligible to return for the team’s Week 18 finale against the Tennessee Titans.
The decision to uphold the appeal comes after Al-Shaair was suspended for three games without pay by the NFL. The defender had been facing a penalty for his hit on Lawrence, who scrambled and slid before being hit by Al-Shaair’s forearm blow. The play led to a skirmish between the Texans and Jaguars, with Al-Shaair slow to leave the field following a subsequent ejection.
The Jaguars placed Lawrence on injured reserve on Wednesday, a day after Al-Shaair’s suspension was announced. NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan issued stern words regarding the suspension, which was levied by hearing officer Ramon Foster. Al-Shaair has reacted to the news on social media, posting a message saying “if you want me to be your villain, I’ll be your villain,” accompanied by a middle finger emoji.