Trevor Lawrence was sent off from Sunday's game after being hit in the head by Aziz Al Shair.
Al Shail was suspended for three games for a hit that was widely considered dirty. However, the Houston Texans linebacker said there was no malicious intent, and general manager Nick Cascio called the defender's treatment “terrible.”
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore wouldn't go that far, but he said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital that it's a difficult situation.
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Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al Shaair (No. 0) makes a late hit during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Everbank Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in New York. At that time, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback No. 16 Trevor Lawrence slipped and was taken down. Jacksonville, Florida. (Cory Perine/Florida Times Union)
“You never want to see someone take a hit like that. Sometimes it's a little difficult for a quarterback to run and try to get a first down and then slide at the last second. I have both. I can see the position,” he said.
Gilmore seems to agree that a bang-bang play that happens in the blink of an eye rarely leaves defenders in doubt.
“It's tough. Some quarterbacks slide early, and sometimes they get aggressive trying to get a first down,” he said. “It’s difficult because you don’t know when to pull back and go tackle.”
Gilmore's comments echo what Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said about the ordeal, also saying Jaguars players overreacted.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, wearing jersey number 16, hits the Houston team during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Everbank Stadium on December 1, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. He slides in front of Texans linebacker No. 0 Azeez Al Shaair. (Nathan Ray Seebeck Iman Images)
Texans' Nick Caserio slams NFL for 'unfair' treatment of Aziz Al Shaair after controversial hit, suspension
“But it's also double, right? What I mean is a lot of quarterbacks in this day and age, they try to take advantage of the rule of sliding late, they try to get extra yards. “And now you have a lot of responsibility on the defender, the defender, whether it's on the sideline or the quarterback, you don't know what the guy is thinking,” Lyons said. “I didn't know if the player was going to get up and keep running, but I delayed my slider and hit the player.
“It's unfortunate that Trevor got hurt. I hope Trevor's okay, but sometimes if you're sliding, you have to get off. If you're out of bounds, you're out of bounds.” That rule is there to protect Trevor's quarterback, and we want our quarterbacks to be safe in the league. So if we're sliding, we need to make sure we keep our heads down. And everything is Azeez – he hits the guy. However, their sideline overreacts and a brawl breaks out.
“That wasn't our team. Their team overreacted and pushed our players and dragged our players to the sideline. So that's not what you want on that side. Both teams have to get better on the sideline.”
NFL Vice President of Football Operations John Runyan said Al Shair's actions after the hit and other dirty plays contributed to the penalty.
Houston Texans linebacker No. 0 Azeez Al Shaair stands in the Jacksonville Jaguars' quarter during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. Players fight after a late hit on back No. 16 Trevor Lawrence. (AP Photo/John Rau)
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“I'm feeling better now that I'm home,” Lawrence posted on X on Sunday night.
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