Texans coach DeMeco Ryans blames Trevor Lawrence for Azeez Al-Shair’s hit that gave him a concussion
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Texans coach DeMeco Ryans blames Trevor Lawrence for Azeez Al-Shair’s hit that gave him a concussion

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

On Monday, Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans discussed Texas linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair’s hit that left Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence with a concussion on Sunday.

He blamed Lawrence. And he believes the Jaguars players overreacted in their response to the hit.

Ryans spoke about the hit during his press conference Monday afternoon.

“We stand behind Azeez and everything that came from it,” Ryans said. “Of course the unfortunate hit on a quarterback. But there are two reasons: A lot of quarterbacks these days are trying to take advantage of the rule by slipping late and trying to get an extra yard.”

“Now you are a defender and a big responsibility lies with the defender. Whether on the sideline or at quarterback, you don’t know what a man is thinking. You don’t know if a man stays.” up and he keeps running. You don’t know. And you get a late strike and hit the guy.

“It’s a shame Trevor got hurt. We hope Trevor is doing well. But if we slip, you have to get down too.”

Here’s the hit at full speed:

And again in slow motion:

Lawrence initiated his slide as Al-Shair prepared to make the tackle. Al-Shair then lunged headfirst at Lawrence after he gave up on himself. The hit left Lawrence dazed on the field and had to leave the game with a concussion. A brawl also broke out as Jaguars players responded to Al-Shaair’s hit.

Ryans also has a problem with this.

“The whole thing is that Azeez hits the guy, but his sideline overreacts and a scuffle breaks out,” Ryans said. “It wasn’t our guys. Your team overreacted, pushed our player and dragged him to the sideline. So this is inappropriate for this team. We also have to be better on the sideline with both teams.”

DeMeco Ryans chided the quarterbacks for the take DeMeco Ryans chided the quarterbacks for the take

DeMeco Ryans chided quarterbacks for “taking advantage of the rule where they slip late and try to get an extra yard.” (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

The NFL handed out evictions for both teams on Sunday. Al-Shair was thrown out for the hit that started it all. Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones was ejected for his role in the ensuing scuffle.

Earlier on Monday, Al-Shair had issued a statement apologizing for Lawrence’s injury, stating: “I never want a player to be injured because of a blow I gave him, especially when he is considered a ‘ “late” or “unnecessary.” The quotation marks around “late” and “unnecessary” are his own.

The NFL responded on Tuesday, suspending Al-Shair for three games without pay for his illegal hit on Lawrence. Al-Shair is reportedly appealing the suspension.

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