On Football examines the pressing issues within the NFL on a weekly basis. Here’s a closer look at the latest developments.
No one desires to witness a player endure a harsh blow like the one that sidelined Trevor Lawrence in a recent game. This sentiment is widely shared; however, enforcing rules to eradicate such violent hits presents a significant challenge. The NFL has implemented various regulations aimed at safeguarding quarterbacks, but due to the inherently physical nature of football, players must make immediate decisions while moving at high speeds, which inevitably leads to injuries.
Lawrence left the field on a cart during the first half of Jacksonville’s 23-20 defeat to Houston after being struck forcefully by Azeez Al-Shaair, who hit the quarterback with a forearm directly to the face mask. The contact left Lawrence in a vulnerable state, and he remained on the ground for several minutes while chaos erupted on the field. Although Lawrence did not require hospitalization for a concussion, his return date remains uncertain. He expressed gratitude on social media for the support he received, stating, “Thank you to everyone who has reached out/been praying for me. I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all.”
Al-Shaair was ejected from the game and is likely to face a fine and possible suspension due to his actions. Just a week prior, the linebacker was fined $11,255 for a late hit on Titans running back Tony Pollard. Earlier this season, he received a fine for a sideline punch directed at Bears running back Roschon Johnson during an altercation that followed his aggressive behavior toward quarterback Caleb Williams. He previously avoided penalties for grabbing Tom Brady by the throat during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jaguars players voiced their outrage, labeling Al-Shaair’s hit as “dirty,” and Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized that such behavior is not in line with their team’s coaching philosophy. “It’s not what we’re coaching,” he commented. He insisted on the importance of being mindful of their actions on the field to avoid unnecessary penalties. Ryans acknowledged Al-Shaair as a valuable player and expressed that his absence impacted the team’s defense. He committed to addressing the issue directly with Al-Shaair to ensure it does not happen again.
Daryl Johnston, a former Dallas Cowboys fullback and current analyst for Fox Sports, criticized Al-Shaair’s actions as a “cheap shot.” “It’s everything you’re not supposed to do,” Johnston remarked, denouncing the recklessness and lack of respect shown on the field. He underlined the importance of maintaining honor in the game and recognizing when to refrain from making overly physical plays against opponents.
Former NFL quarterbacks also took to social media to condemn Al-Shaair. Robert Griffin III remarked that “there is no place in the game for dirty hits like this one,” while Chase Daniel described it as “one of the dirtiest hits” he had ever witnessed on a quarterback. Even some defensive players found it hard to support Al-Shaair, with Hall of Famer Michael Strahan calling the hit “uncalled for” and Howie Long echoing his sentiments.
This incident has ignited discussions surrounding the quarterback sliding rule. Lawrence’s feet-first slide should have indicated that he was surrendering on the play. According to the NFL rulebook, defenders are expected to pull back when a player begins a feet-first slide. However, defensive players are not penalized if they make contact with a sliding quarterback, provided they were already committed to the play and the contact was unavoidable.
The rules specifically denote that it becomes a foul when there is “forcible contact into the head or neck area of the runner” with the use of a helmet, shoulder, or forearm, along with any other unnecessary roughness acts. Since Al-Shaair’s hit qualified as such, he faced penalties and potential further consequences. Nonetheless, considering the physical intensity of the sport, incidents of this nature are far from over.