CNN
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Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shair was suspended three games without pay by the NFL on Tuesday for a late hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Sunday’s game.

In the second quarter, Lawrence was hit in the head by Al-Shair as the Jags QB slid on the ground after a six-yard run. As Lawrence lay on the grass, a scuffle broke out between the two teams. Al-Shaair was ejected from the game along with Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones for the ensuing fight.

In a statement released Tuesday, the NFL said it was suspending Al-Shair for “repeated violations of rules designed to protect the health and safety of players and promote sportsmanship.”

It’s not the first time Al-Shair has been punished for a similar incident: The 27-year-old was fined $11,255 for a late hit on Nov. 24 in a game against the Tennessee Titans. He was also fined $11,817 for striking a player in Houston’s game against the Chicago Bears in Week 2.

In a letter to Al-Shaair, NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan said the linebacker’s hit on Lawrence was “unacceptable and a serious violation of the rules of the game,” while highlighting his actions in the ensuing brawl and after his expulsion.

“Their lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach and enjoy watching it is concerning and does not reflect the core values ​​of the NFL,” Runyan said. “Your continued disregard for the NFL rules of the game endangers the health and safety of you and your opponents and will not be tolerated.”

Al-Shair is eligible to return to Houston’s active roster for their Week 17 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement allows Al-Shair to appeal the suspension. According to a source who spoke to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Al-Shaair will appeal.

CNN has reached out to the NFL Players Association for comment on the suspension.

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans defended Al-Shaair on Monday, saying the team stands behind the sixth-grader and explaining the incident needs to be viewed from both sides.

“We’re not intentionally trying to hurt anyone, but I think there’s an overreaction when someone gets hurt, but we just have to look at everything from all perspectives.

“A lot of quarterbacks these days try to take advantage of the rule that they slip late and try to get an extra yard. And now that you’re a defense attorney, there’s a lot of responsibility on the defense attorney, right?”

Ryans added: “Unfortunately Trevor was injured. We hope Trevor is doing well.

“But – even if we slip, we have to go down. When we get out of bounds, we get out of bounds. This rule is to protect quarterbacks and we want our quarterbacks to be safe in the league, so we just have to play it safe and slide, make sure we keep our heads down.”

Ryans said Al-Shair played the game “the right way” and never intended to harm another player.

“Any image that conveys that Azeez is a dirty player or does something intentional is the exact opposite of who Azeez is.”

“People who know Azeez know him, they know how he plays the game.

“Yes, he plays it fast, he plays it physical, and sometimes that physical nature is misunderstood in today’s game.”

On Monday, Al-Shair apologized to Lawrence for the attack, while pointing out “racist and Islamophobic” insults he has since received.

“I really didn’t see him slip until it was too late,” he wrote on social media.

“And everything happens in the blink of an eye. To Trevor, I sincerely apologize for what ultimately happened. We chatted before the game and I told you how nice it was to see you back on the pitch and wished you all the best. “I never want a player to be injured by a blow I have given him, especially if it is deemed ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary’.”

He continued: “To the rest of the people I called every single name in the book, from reporters willing to find a story to find their (villain), to racist and Islamophobic fans and People, you don’t do that. “I don’t know my heart or my character, which I don’t have to prove to any of you.”

Previously, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson was asked what he thought would be an appropriate punishment for Al-Shaair. Peterson referred to the skirmishes and fights at several NCAA football games on Saturday.

“I think the league will deal with situations like this as they arise. Just look at what even happened in college football, some of those rivalry games and things like that over the weekend. It’s unfortunate because it escalates to a level that doesn’t necessarily have to be on the field.

“We have a high status. We’re in the National Football League. Defend the shield. All that stuff. We have to find a way as a league to somehow minimize these plays or at least remove them from the game if possible,” Pederson said.

The Texans now have a bye week and will play the Miami Dolphins again on December 15th.