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Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair Got Away With Another Dirty Move Against Chargers

Andy Nesbitt

Houston's Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended earlier this season for a dirty hit on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence.
Houston's Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended earlier this season for a dirty hit on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence. / @CBS
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The Houston Texans were able to blow out the Los Angeles Chargers, 32-12, on Saturday to advance to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. While the Texans' defense was electric all night, picking off Justin Herbert four times, one play from linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair got the most attention as he was seen punching Chargers WR Ladd McConkey in the side of the helmet after a catch.

Al-Shaair was suspended earlier this season for three games for his vicious hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, a play that Lawrence suffered a concussion on. That hit led to some of his old questionable plays being brought back to light by fans.

On this play against the Chargers, some could argue Al-Shaair was trying to punch the ball out of McConkey's hands but it came well after the wide receiver was brought to the ground.

Not a great look for the linebacker, who wasn't flagged on the play.

The Texans, meanwhile, will have to wait to see who wins the Broncos-Bills game on Sunday to find out who their opponent is next week.

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Andy Nesbitt
ANDY NESBITT

Andy Nesbitt is the assistant managing editor of audience engagement at Sports Illustrated. He works closely with the Breaking and Trending News team to shape SI’s daily coverage across all sports. A 20-year veteran of the sports media business, he has worked for Fox Sports, For the Win, The Boston Globe and NBC Sports, having joined SI in February 2023. Nesbitt is a golf fanatic who desperately wants to see the Super Bowl played on a Saturday night.

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