The Houston Texans will be without starting linebacker and defensive team captain Azeez Al-Shair for three games, including their Week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins.
Al-Shaair, 27, was suspended for three games by the NFL on Tuesday, two days after he delivered a brutal hit that caused a concussion to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who slipped to avoid contact .
With Al-Shaair out of action, the Texans will likely turn to Neville Hewitt to take over the starting role when they return from a bye in Week 14. The 31-year-old linebacker has started just three games over the past three seasons but has been a fixture on special teams, recording 46 tackles this season.
Pro Football Focus gave Al-Shair one this season with a grade of 87.0 against the run. Hewitt has one . Also on the roster is former Tampa Bay Buccaneers top 10 draft pick Devin White. The Texans recently designated Christian Harris as a 2022 third-round pick to return from injured reserve, where he spent the first three months of the season.
Al-Shaair, who signed with the Texans earlier this year, has two sacks, two forced fumbles, four pass defenses, seven tackles for loss and 68 tackles.
