A contentious hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during their game against the Houston Texans ignited a heated exchange on the field and resulted in multiple ejections. Lawrence suffered a concussion after being hit by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair while sliding during a scramble. The impact, which appeared to target the head and neck area, prompted an immediate reaction from Jaguars players.
The ensuing scuffle led to the ejection of both Al-Shaair and Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram also received a penalty for unnecessary roughness. Engram openly criticized the hit on Lawrence, describing it as "dirty" and explaining his reaction as instinctive, driven by a need to defend his teammate.
Jaguars defensive end Josh Allen-Hines also expressed his disapproval of the play, highlighting the changing rules of the game and the emphasis on player safety. While acknowledging the evolving standards of acceptable tackles, he stopped short of demanding a suspension for Al-Shaair, leaving that decision to the league.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson expressed his disappointment, labeling the incident a play that no one wants to see in the league. He anticipated fines from the NFL for those involved in the altercation. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans also voiced his concern, stating that the hit was not representative of the team's coaching or Al-Shaair's character. He acknowledged the negative impact of Al-Shaair's ejection on the Texans' defense and pledged to address the situation with the player directly.
The Texans ultimately won the game 23-20, but the controversial hit on Lawrence and its aftermath overshadowed the final score.
