Azeez Al-Shaair of the Texans was suspended for three games for hitting Trevor Lawrence

After hitting Trevor Lawrence, who was taken off the field by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was given a three-game NFL suspension on Tuesday.

Al-Shaair’s “repeated violations of rules intended to protect the health and safety of players and promote sportsmanship” were taken into consideration for the ban, according to the NFL’s statement.

Al-Shaair intends to challenge the penalty, according to ESPN.

After taking Week 14 off, the Texans (8-5) will host the Miami Dolphins on December 15, travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs on December 21, and play the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day. As of right now, Al-Shaair could play again in the team’s season finale against the Tennessee Titans.

In the second quarter of Sunday’s game, Lawrence was carrying the ball when he slid feet first at Houston’s 45-yard line. The 27-year-old Al-Shaair slammed into him and struck the quarterback in the head and shoulder with a forearm.

Lawrence lay prone on the field as many conflicts broke out. Along with Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones, Al-Shaair was sent off, but several penalties made up the difference.

Lawrence instantly made the fencing motion, a hand gesture linked to traumatic brain damage. But after receiving brief medical attention, he was able to stand, and he sat up as he was wheeled to the locker room.

“You were involved in a play that the (NFL) considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules,” was the message that NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan sent to Al-Shaair. “The video shows you hitting Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the head/neck region after he obviously slides feet first.

When you had the time and space to avoid making contact, you led with your forearm and helmet and struck your opponent hard in the head and neck region.”
That wasn’t the end of Runyan.

“(Al-Shaair) proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his facemask.” Al-Shaair took off his helmet after getting expelled, according to Runyan, and “re-engaged with your opponent while walking down and across the field, which started another physical confrontation near the end zone.”

Last week, Al-Shaair, 27, was flagged and fined $11,255 for hitting Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard late in the game. Earlier this season, he was also penalized $11,817 for punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sidelines.

“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL,” ran the letter. “Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated.”