In a shocking and controversial moment during the Texans-Jaguars game, quarterback Trevor Lawrence was knocked out of the game with a concussion after a brutal hit from Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. The hit, which occurred while Lawrence was clearly in the process of sliding, sent his head crashing into the turf, resulting in a nasty injury.
Al-Shaair, who was ejected from the game for the hit, clearly did not pull up when he saw Lawrence begin to slide, making the contact not only unnecessary but downright dangerous. In situations like this, defenders are generally expected to ease up, understanding that the quarterback is in a vulnerable position. However, Al-Shaair’s decision to deliver a high, forceful blow to a defenseless Lawrence left many questioning his intent.
While the NFL has faced criticism in the past for being overly protective of quarterbacks, even the most die-hard football fans could agree that this hit had no place in the game. It was a blatant violation of the safety rules that are in place to protect players, particularly quarterbacks who are already at risk due to their unique position.
The situation escalated quickly after the hit, with Jaguars players, including tight end Evan Ingram and cornerback Jalen Jones, rushing to Lawrence’s defense. Both players were ejected after shoving Al-Shaair in retaliation, turning the game into an all-out brawl. Though the ejections were mandated by the referees, many felt the Jaguars players should have been praised for standing up for their teammate rather than being punished.
This incident harkens back to a similar moment in 2017 when Kiko Alonso of the Dolphins delivered a brutal hit to Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco while he was sliding, leading to a concussion. However, Al-Shaair’s hit was even more egregious. Lawrence had at least five yards of space between himself and the linebacker, giving Al-Shaair ample time to avoid the hit. Instead, he chose to execute a dirty, high tackle that left Lawrence with a concussion.
What’s especially frustrating about this hit is that Lawrence had just fought to return to the field after recovering from a shoulder injury. He had worked tirelessly to get back on the field for his team, only to be sidelined once again by a reckless and dangerous play. Many fans and analysts were quick to express their anger, and understandably so—Lawrence didn’t deserve to be taken out of the game in such a manner.
As the game continued, the focus shifted to the well-being of Lawrence, with fans hoping for a quick recovery. This hit has sparked outrage, highlighting the need for greater protection of quarterbacks and the importance of maintaining safety on the field. Hopefully, incidents like this one will lead to changes in how the NFL handles dangerous plays and reinforces the message that player safety must always come first.
