(Houston) Houston Texans player Azeez Al-Shaair apologized on the X platform Monday morning to Trevor Lawrence for his violent tackle to the head of the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback which led to a concussion and his evacuation by cart of the land.
Lawrence, returning after missing two games with a strained left shoulder, snuck left with his team in a second-down, seven-yard situation in the second quarter. ‘a match which ended 23-20 in favor of the Texans on Sunday. He then attempted a slide, just as Al-Shaair dove towards him at full speed.
In the lengthy message posted to “it’s not too late”, before adding that the entire sequence had taken place “in a fraction of a second”. He added that he was sorry for making the tackle.
“I would like to sincerely apologize to Trevor for what happened,” Al-Shaair wrote. We spoke with the meeting and I told you that I was very happy to see that you were back playing, and I wished you good luck. I never tackle an opponent with the aim of injuring him, especially if this tackle is considered late or excessive. »
Lawrence clenched his fists immediately after the tackle – a telltale sign of a head injury, in this case a concussion. He remained lying on the ground for many minutes, while his teammates came to his defense and to attack Al-Shaair.
Al-Shaair was expelled from the match “for illegal tackling against a quarter, excessive, in the neck and head region,” referee Land Clark said in a press release on Sunday. Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones was also ejected for throwing a punch during the scrimmage.
Shortly after the game, Al-Shaair told X that he understood why Jaguars players came to Lawrence’s defense after his tackle.
“I understand why you came to his defense and tried to defend him in a situation like this,” he said.
Last week, Al-Shaair was penalized and fined US$11,255 for a late out-of-bounds tackle on Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard.
He was also punished earlier this year after punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sidelines during the second week of NFL action. This incident occurred during a scrimmage, after a hard hit on quarterback Caleb Williams near the sidelines went under the radar.
Al-Shaair, a six-year veteran, will certainly be fined for his tackle on Lawrence. He could also be suspended.
