Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair suspended 3 games after Trevor Lawrence hit - ESPN

The NFL suspended Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair three games for repeated violations of player safety rules after his hit to the head of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on Sunday.

Jon Runyan, the NFL's vice president of policy and rules administration, announced the suspension Tuesday, adding in a letter to Al-Shaair that the league deemed the hit «unacceptable» and that his «continued disregard» for rules governing player safety «will not be tolerated.»

Al-Shaair was ejected in the second quarter of Houston's victory Sunday over Jacksonville after his violent blow to the face mask of Lawrence while the quarterback was sliding to the ground, causing the Jaguars star to suffer a concussion.

«You were involved in a play that the [NFL] considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules,» Runyan wrote Tuesday. «Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars' quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide.… You led with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area of your opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact.»

Lawrence clenched both fists after the hit — movements consistent with what's referred to as the «fencing response,» which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. He was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense and mobbed Al-Shaair.

Runyan said in his letter that Al-Shaair «proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his facemask,» and also added that after being ejected, the six-year veteran «removed your helmet and reengaged with your opponent while walking down and across the field, which