Michael DiRocco, ESPN Staff WriterDec 1, 2024, 02:33 PM ET
CloseMichael DiRocco is an NFL reporter at ESPN. DiRocco covers the Jacksonville Jaguars. He previously covered the University of Florida for over a decade for ESPN.com and Florida Times-Union. DiRocco graduated from Jacksonville University and is a multiple APSE award winner. You can follow DiRocco on Twitter at @ESPNdirocco.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A late hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair sparked two melees between the teams and resulted in Al-Shaair and Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones being ejected.
Lawrence was down on the field for several minutes before eventually being taken off on a cart — sitting up in front — and the Jaguars ruled him out for the rest of the game with a concussion.
Lawrence was not taken to a hospital.
Trevor Lawrence was hit late while trying to slide, which led to exchanges between Jags and Texans players. pic.twitter.com/34jwjiDLcN
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 1, 2024
Al-Shaair hit Lawrence in the head after the quarterback slid at the end of a 6-yard scramble late in the first half. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram shoved Al-Shaair in the back in retaliation, sparking the first fight between the teams.
The brawl occurred just a few yards away from Lawrence, who was lying on his back. An official knelt to protect Lawrence as the skirmish moved toward the Jaguars’ sideline.
Officials announced that Al-Shaair and Jones, who came off the sideline, were ejected and assessed with personal foul penalties. Engram also was assessed a personal foul penalty.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence rode a cart off the field Sunday after sustaining a concussion on a hit by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who was ejected from the game. Mike Carlson/Getty Images
Things got heated again a moment later when Al-Shaair and Jaguars right guard Brandon Scherff exchanged words while Al-Shaair was being escorted off the field. Al-Shaair ripped off his helmet and tried to go after Scherff, but he was restrained by Texans teammates Henry To’oTo’o and Joe Mixon.
This isn’t Al-Shaair’s first time getting into an altercation. In the Texans’ Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears, he punched running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline. This came after he had a questionable hit on Caleb Williams when the quarterback was sprinting toward the sideline.
Al-Shaair was fined $11,817 for the punch.
ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime contributed to this report.