HOUSTON – As the Texans returned to the practice field Monday morning, they welcomed back veteran linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
Al-Shaair was reinstated by the NFL last week after serving a three-game disciplinary suspension for his controversial concussion-causing tackle on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
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“It’s really great getting Azeez back,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We’ve missed him over these past three weeks, just missed his presence, his leadership, missed his playmaking ability on the field. So, we’re excited to get him back out there and let him knock some of the rust off.”
Operating without Al-Shaair’s hard-hitting presence and range and skill in pass coverage has taken a toll on the defense. They allowed a season-high 251 rushing yards during a 31-2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas.
“We’re all excited,” Texans linebacker Christian Harris said. “It’s great to have our leader back, our captain. He brings crazy energy. He inspires a lot of us in many different ways. We’re excited.”
The suspension cost him $112,745 per week, including $83,333 per week in salary, plus $29,411.76 in per game active roster bonuses.
#Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair first practice back after #NFl reinstatement from three-game suspension @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/ajfprqkAEm
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 30, 2024
The Texans and Al-Shaair became one of the biggest stories in the NFL after Al-Shaair’s tackle on a sliding Lawrence. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans took issue with how long Lawrence took to commit to a slide along with the Jaguars, including tight end Evan Engram, attacking Al-Shaair by their sideline after the hit. Only Engram was fined by the league office. No other Texans players were punished except for Al-Shaair for two melees that broke out and an NFL referee noted that the Jaguars behaved worse than Houston after the incident.
Al-Shaair is a talented linebacker and emotional team leader who signed a three-year, $34 million free agent deal this offseason to reunite with Ryans.
Al-Shaair reacted after the decision, in outspoken fashion on social media and posted a photo of the Joker: “If you want me to be your villain, I’ll be your villain. See you soon.”
Al-Shaair has been criticized heavily on social media for his Muslim faith, including several racist comments, and his support through My Cause, My Cleats of a Palestine children’s relief fund.
The deeply religious former Florida Atlantic standout also wrote: ‘There is beauty in being rejected. Misunderstood. Unseen and unprotected by people. It teaches you to rely on Allah for everything.”
Texans general manager Nick Caserio pointed out the inequity of Al-Shaair’s punishment compared to other players who were ejected but weren’t suspended, including Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch. Al-Shaair had never been suspended previously, but has been fined twice this season, including $11,817 for punching Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson after being surrounded by their players on the sideline after a legal hit on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams that enraged the Bears and $11,255 for his late hit on Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard, which was penalized.
In an impassioned press conference, Caserio spoke out about what’s been said about Al-Shaair.
“One of the biggest issues that take umbrage with, as a team and organizationally, is the picture that’s been painted of Azeez,” Caserio said. “Quite frankly, it’s unfair. I think that’s all teams ask for is consistency from the league. I would say in this situation -- I mean, quite frankly, there’s no consistency at all relative to the level of discipline that’s been handed down. Nobody embodies our program more than Azeez, what he’s about, what he’s been through. You all know his story. There’s not a more selfless individual, more about the team, who’s earned the respect, that represents everything that we want this program to be about. We’re talking about some of the commentary that has been made about his character, about the person that he is, about what his intentions are, from people that, quite frankly, don’t know anything about Azeez Al-Shaair.
“For the league to make some of the commentary that they made about lack of sportsmanship, lack of coachability, lack of paying attention to the rules, quite frankly, it’s embarrassing. From our perspective, talk about a player who’s never been suspended, never been ejected. So, now we’re saying that he’s going to be suspended for three games. I think the big thing from our standpoint, and all teams want this, is just some level of consistency. We’ve talked to the league. Quite frankly, we don’t have a good explanation. I think where we take umbrage is the picture that’s been painted about Azeez, his intentions, who he is as a person. I mean, quite frankly, it’s bull--- and it’s unfair to the individual, it’s unfair to the organization. We love everything about Azeez Al-Shaair, what he means to this team, what he brings to this team.”
In the NFL disciplinary letter from Runyan to Al-Shaair explaining the suspension, he cited repeated violations of the rules intended to protect the health and safety of players and promote sportsmanship.
“During your game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 1, with 4:20 remaining in the second quarter, you were involved in a play that the League considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules,” Runyan wrote. “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.”
“After the illegal hit, you proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his facemask. After the referee announced that you were disqualified for the hit and your unsportsmanlike acts, you removed your helmet and reengaged with your opponent while walking down and across the field, which started another physical confrontation near the end zone. 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. 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.”
It’s the final paragraph that enraged the Texans.
“When you put information and make a statement in a letter with not having talked, ever talked to a player, not knowing the player, and then to basically paint a picture ‘Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL,’” Caserio said. “So, that essentially implies that Azeez doesn’t give a crap about the fans, doesn’t give a crap about playing football the right way, is not coachable. It couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Several players, including running back Joe Mixon and offensive tackle Tytus Howard, posted their support for Al-Shaair, who has 68 tackles, seven for losses and two forced fumbles in just 10 games, on social media.
Al-Shaair apologized in a statement to Lawrence and defended his character.
“I’ve always played the game as hard as I could,” Al-Shaair wrote on social media. “Never with the intent to harm anyone and anybody that knows me knows that. My goal is to hit you as hard as I can then I pray you’re still able to get up and play the next play. And when the game is over go home to your family because it’s not personal, it’s just competition! I genuinely didn’t see him sliding until it was too late. And it all happened in the blink of an eye.
“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.’ To the rest of his teammates, I can definitely understand you having his back and defending him in a situation like that.”
Ryans defended Al-Shaair’s character. Ryans has known Al-Shaair since he entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent six years ago.
“I talk to Azeez every day,” Ryans said. “Azeez is a great person, exceptional leader for us. And Azeez is a really good player. And he plays the game the right way. His intent is never to hurt anyone as he’s playing the game. If anybody that knows Azeez and talks to Azeez, nobody with a bigger heart than Azeez. I mean, this guy is a special guy.
“A special young man, love working with him and for any picture that’s painted that Azeez is a dirty player or doing something intentional, that’s the exact opposite of what Azeez is. People who know Azeez, they know him, they know how he plays the game. Yes, he plays it fast, he plays it physical, but sometimes that physical nature gets misunderstood in today’s game. Azeez, the type of guy he is, he’s just a very caring guy.”
Meanwhile, the Texans, with a glaring need for a wide receiver with Tank Dell out for the season with a devastating knee injury, are getting new wide receiver Diontae Johnson up to speed.
Johnson practiced with the Texans for the first time Monday since being awarded to them off waivers from the Ravens. He caught one pass for six yards with the Ravens.
New #Texans wide receiver Diontae Johnson learning the ropes @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/4I0u49RDwF
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 30, 2024
Johnson was waived after a rocky tenure with the Ravens that lasted just seven weeks.
Acquired from the Carolina Panthers, Johnson was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team when he refused to to play in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Last week, he was excused from team activities. He played just 39 offensive snaps for Baltimore.
Dell is out for the season with a dislocated knee and a torn anterior cruciate ligament, torn medial collateral ligament, torn lateral collateral ligament and meniscus damage, according to league sources.
Johnson was suspended by the Ravens in what general manager Eric DeCosta called a “difficult decision.”
Then, it was mutually decided to keep Johnson out of team activities.
Johnson is regarded as extremely “emotional,” in terms of his up-and-down personality and gets highly upset if he’s not involved enough in the offense, per multiple league sources.
Johnson has 31 receptions for 363 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 11.7 yards per catch, overall this season.
For his career, the former Pittsburgh Steelers third-round draft pick from Toledo has 422 catches for 4,726 yards and 28 touchdowns in stints for the Steelers, Panthers and Ravens.
The Ravens acquired Johnson and a sixth-round pick in 2025 from the Panthers for a 2025 fifth-rounder.
Johnson had 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns for Carolina. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
New #Texans wide receiver Diontae Johnson practices Monday for first time with team @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/nu5G3B1XCL
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 30, 2024
For the Steelers last season, Johnson stood around and didn’t attempt to recover a fumble by running back Jaylen Warren. He was derided on social media and scolded by coach Mike Tomlin.
A potential touchdown pass get knocked out of Johnson’s hands in the back of the end zone, too.
Tomlin said Johnson needs to control his emotions. Johnson apologized to his teammates.
“I didn’t know the play was still going,” Johnson said. “Like I said, if I could make the play again I would tackle the ball.”
#Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud back at it. Stroud said after #Ravens game he's been 'banged up' @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/RhEq9fEJ2V
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 30, 2024
Offensive guard Juice Scruggs returned to practice after missing the past three games with a foot injury suffered against the Jacksonville Jaguars before the bye week.
Having Scruggs back, if he plays, gives the Texans one starting offensive lineman back.
Veteran right guard Shaq Mason is out for the next three to four weeks with a Grade 2 sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee, per sources.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
