Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair Posts Apology to Trevor Lawrence After Injuring QB on Hit

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair apologized for his hit that knocked Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence out of Sunday's 23-20 win.

"I genuinely didn't see him sliding until it was too late," Al-Shaair wrote in a statement he posted to X. "To Trevor i genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening. Before the game we spoke and I told you how it was great to see you back out on the field and wished you well. I would never want to see any player hurt because of a hit I put on them especially one that's deemed 'late' or 'unnecessary.'"

Midway through the second quarter, Lawrence scrambled out of the pocket for a six-yard run. As he was sliding down, Al-Shaair lunged forward and hit him around the head with his left elbow.

Lawrence was carted off the field and the Jaguars subsequently confirmed he suffered a concussion. The 2022 Pro Bowler said Sunday night he was "home and feeling better."

Al-Shaair was ejected for the hit, which triggered a brief scuffle between Jaguars and Texans players. Jacksonville cornerback Jarrian Jones, tight end Evan Engram and offensive guard Brandon Scherff were among those who challenged Al-Shaair directly.

Engram told reporters after the game he thought the veteran defender was guilty of a "dirty hit."

"Obviously those hits are always in question," he said. "Trevor was going down and I saw it out of my peripheral [vision]. I got a pretty clear view of it, and in that moment, just [reacted on] instincts. It just didn't feel like a clean hit, so just go stick up for my quarterback."

Al-Shaair received an $11,817 fine for punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline during Houston's 19-13 Week 2 win.

Many wondered whether the NFL will come down much harder on the 27-year-old for Sunday's late hit.

Addressing the situation, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said it's "not what we're coaching" and "not representative of who Azeez is."

Ryans added he planned on meeting with Al-Shaair about the hit.