Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans defended linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair following a controversial hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, suggesting that quarterbacks who slide late bear some responsibility for such collisions. Ryans expressed support for Al-Shaair while acknowledging the unfortunate nature of Lawrence's concussion. He emphasized the difficulty for defenders when quarterbacks slide late, attempting to gain extra yardage, blurring the line between a running play and a protected slide.
Ryans stated that while he hopes for Lawrence's swift recovery, quarterbacks must slide decisively to protect themselves. He also criticized the Jaguars' sideline for overreacting to the hit, escalating the situation into a brief altercation. The Texans coach believes the focus should be on preventing injuries rather than assigning blame after the fact, suggesting a balanced perspective is necessary when evaluating such plays.
Ryans argued against overreacting solely because of an injury and advocated for considering all perspectives. Al-Shaair has since issued an apology for the hit and acknowledged the Jaguars players' reactions. Reports indicate the NFL is likely to suspend Al-Shaair for the incident.
