Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans criticized linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair on Sunday afternoon following the defender's illegal hit to the head of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Ryans defended his defensive captain in extended remarks Monday afternoon.
Ryans reiterated his well wishes to Lawrence—who missed the rest of Houston's 23-20 win due to a concussion—after Al-Shaair's "unfortunate" hit. But Houston's head coach notably assigned Jacksonville culpability for Sunday's post-hit brawl on two fronts. For one, Ryans noted quarterbacks league-wide need to do everything possible to protect their heads when running and sliding.