Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Logs four tackles vs. Baltimore
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Al-Shaair registered four tackles (two solo) and one pass defense during the Texans' 44-10 win over the Ravens on Sunday.
Al-Shaair played a season-low 38 defensive snaps Sunday, but the Texans had just 43 snaps on defense as the offense dominated time of possession in a Week 5 blowout win. The veteran linebacker has just seven tackles over the past two games and is up to 32 tackles (19 solo), three pass defenses and one forced fumble over the first five games of the regular season.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Logs three stops in Week 4
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Al-Shaair finished Sunday's 26-0 win over Tennessee with three tackles (two solo) and a defensed pass.
This was easily Al-Shaair's lowest tackle of the campaign, but that's partly because the Titans' offense was so overmatched that it had the ball for less than 22 minutes of game time. Al-Shaair added a defensed pass for a Texans defense that dominated from start to finish.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Racks up eight stops in Week 3
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Al-Shaair recorded eight tackles (four solo) in a loss to the Jaguars on Sunday.
Al-Shaair led the Texans in stops, with nobody else on the team notching more than five tackles. The veteran linebacker is off to a strong start, posting 25 tackles, a defensed pass and a forced fumble through three contests.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Tallies seven tackles vs. LAR
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Al-Shaair registered seven tackles (three solo) during the Texans' 14-9 loss to the Rams on Sunday.
Al-Shaair was one of four Texans players to play all 60 defensive snaps and finished second on the team in tackles behind Kamari Lassiter (nine). Al-Shaair was limited to 11 regular-season games in 2024 after missing three games due to a knee injury and another three contests for a suspension, and he finished with 70 tackles (45 solo), including 2.0 sacks, four pass defenses and two forced fumbles.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Past knee injury
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Al-Shaair (knee) participated in Wednesday's organized team activities, Drew Dougherty of the Texans' official site reports.
Al-Shaair picked up a knee injury during the Texans' divisional-round loss to the Chiefs, but he now appears to have moved past the issue. The Florida Atlantic product served as Houston's top middle linebacker last season, recording 70 total tackles, including 2.0 sacks, four passes defended and two forced fumbles over 11 regular-season contests. With Al-Shaair back at full health, he's expected to remain one of the Texans' top defensive playmakers in 2025.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Questionable to return Saturday
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Al-Shaair (knee) is questionable to return to Saturday's AFC divisional-round matchup against Kansas City.
Al-Shaair dealt with a knee issue during the week and logged a DNP/LP/LP practice progression. He twice visited the medical tent during the first quarter of Saturday's matchup against the Chiefs and has been deemed questionable to return to the contest. Neville Hewitt has entered at linebacker in Al-Shaair's stead.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Managing knee injury
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Al-Shaair didn't practice Tuesday due to a knee injury.
Despite opening the week with an absence at practice, Al-Shaair is on track to play in Saturday's divisional-round matchup with the Chiefs, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Al-Shaair was forced out for one play in this past Saturday's 32-12 win over the Chargers in the wild-card round due to the knee injury, but he immediately checked back into the contest and finished with six tackles. Though the veteran linebacker is expected to play in the divisional round, he may need to upgrade to full participation in practice by Thursday to avoid taking an injury designation into the weekend.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Gets three-game ban for illegal hit
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The NFL announced Tuesday that Al-Shaair has received a three-game suspension for his hit on quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Sunday's 23-20 win over the Jaguars, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The 27-year-old linebacker had previously been fined for punching Bears running back Roschon Johnson in Week 2 and again for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard in Week 12. The hit on a sliding Lawrence -- which resulted in the quarterback sustaining a concussion -- appears to have been the last straw, and the NFL elected to suspend Al-Shaair for the first time in his career. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Al-Shaair will appeal the ban, but assuming the three-game suspension is upheld, he'll be eligible to return in Week 18. Devin White could be the next man up at linebacker alongside Henry To'oTo'o and Neville Hewitt, though Houston could get Christian Harris (calf) back from injured reserve at some point after its Week 14 bye.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Leading tackler versus Titans
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Al-Shaair registered eight tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Houston's loss Sunday versus Tennessee.
Al-Shaair was limited in practice throughout the week due to a knee injury but ended up having a solid performance nonetheless. Not only did the 27-year-old lead the team in tackles, but Al-Shaair also managed to record his second sack of the season as one of five different Texans defenders to bring down Will Levis.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Past knee issue
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Al-Shaair (knee) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Titans.
The first-year Texan practiced in a limited fashion both Wednesday and Thursday, but he upgraded to a full workload Friday, suggesting that he's recovered from his knee injury in time for Sunday's divisional matchup. With Al-Shaair back at full health, he's expected start alongside Henry To'oTo'o as part of Houston's top outside linebacker duo.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Limited at practice
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Al-Shaair (knee) was a limited participant at the Texans' practice Wednesday.
Al-Shaair dealt with a knee injury throughout October, which forced him to miss three games during that month, but he's since played in Houston's last two contests. The linebacker will still have two more chances to increase his workload at practice this week before the team faces the Titans on Sunday.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Ready to rock
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Al-Shaair (knee) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Lions.
Al-Shaair practiced in full Friday after logging back-to-back limited sessions to begin the Texans' week of practice, suggesting he's moved past his knee issue in time for Sunday's contest. Expect the Florida Atlantic product to start alongside Henry To'oTo'o as part of Houston's top outside linebacker duo in Week 10.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Limited Thursday
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Al-Shaair (knee) was limited in Thursday's practice.
After missing last Thursday night's game against the Jets, Al-Shaair has logged back-to-back limited sessions to open the practice week. He's missed the Texans' last three contests overall but looks poised for a potential return this Sunday versus Detroit. The veteran linebacker has 40 tackles (28 solo), including 1.0 sacks, six QB hits, four pass breakups and one forced fumble through six games.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Still on sidelines
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Al-Shaair (knee) is not practicing Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Al-Shaair was unable to play in Sunday's loss to the Packers and may be in danger of missing Week 8 against the Colts. The veteran linebacker will likely need to get back on the practice field by Friday, to increase his chances of suiting up for the matchup.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Missing Week 7
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Al-Shaair (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Packers.
Al-Shaair is now set to miss his first game of the season in Week 7 after failing to practice all week due to a knee injury. The Texans will be without both of their top outside linebackers, Al-Shaair and Henry To'oTo'o (concussion), in Sunday's contest. Expect Neville Hewitt to start alongside Jake Hansen and Del'Shawn Phillips in Al-Shaair's stead.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Ruled out
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Al-Shaair (knee) will not return Sunday against the Patriots.
Al-Shaair had three tackles before exiting late in the first half. It's hard to know if his inability to return is a result of the injury or the lopsided score of the game. More clarity on the severity of his injury could come after the game or later in the week.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Exits with knee injury Week 6
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Al-Shaair left Sunday's contest against New England due to a knee injury and is questionable to return.
Al-Shaair's injury occurred in the first half, and he was announced as being questionable to return shortly before halftime. Prior to Week 6, the linebacker had played every snap for the Texans through five games. Neville Hewitt entered the contest following Al-Shaair's exit and would be in line for significant work if the latter is unable to return.
Al-Shaair recorded 10 total tackles (nine solo), including two tackles for loss, during Sunday's 34-7 loss to the Vikings.
Al-Shaair was one of the few bright spots on a Texans defense that allowed a season-high 34 points in Week 3, leading the game in total tackles. The first-year Texan has impressed during his first three games in Houston, recording 25 total tackles, including 1.0 sack, and defending one pass on 169 defensive snaps. Expect Al-Shaair to continue being a viable IDP option as Houston hosts Jacksonville in Week 4.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Limited Wednesday
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Al-Shaair (shin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Following an impressive 10-tackle performance in Sunday night's win over the Bears, Al-Shaair appears to be dealing with a shin injury. His practice participation Thursday and Friday will provide a clearer indication of his availability for Week 3, as the Texans take on the Vikings.
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Titans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Strong season in Tennessee
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Al-Shaair recorded 163 total tackles (84 solo), two sacks, four passes defended and one fumble recovered across 17 games with the Titans in 2023.
Al-Shaair joined the Titans on a one-year deal before the 2023 season and showed the ability to handle a full defensive workload. He was on the field for a career-best 1,048 snaps and topped 100 tackles for the second time in five professional seasons. Al-Shaair will be entering his age-26 campaign, and even at a position that has been devalued in the modern NFL, he should be able to land a relatively significant contract.
