The Houston Texans may have been proven correct in their arguments on behalf of linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, with the NFL’s latest decision to fine cornerback Derek Stingley, but not him, ahead of their Week 8 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Al-Shaair was flagged for unnecessary roughness after tackling Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold along the sidelines in the first quarter on “Monday Night Football.”
However, the NFL did not fine Greenlaw, who protested the penalty during and after the game.
Derek Stingley Tagged With Fine After Facemask
GettyDerek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans stiff arms the helmet off of Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Seattle Seahawks.
Stingley’s penalty did not draw nearly as much attention as Al-Shaair’s, but it still cost the All-Pro $11,593. Stingley, who is on a three-year, $90 million contract, grabbed Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s facemask during his return after intercepting a pass from Darnold.
The play stood, giving the Texans possession after they had turned it over on downs two plays before.
Smith-Njigba was fined $14,491 for unsportsmanlike conduct for dunking on the goal post.
It was an expensive game for Stingley, the Texans, and Smith-Njigba. Al-Shaair can consider himself fortunate that the league essentially sided with him and Ryans, and not the officials, in the Texans’ loss.
Azeez Al-Shaair Avoids Further Penalty
GettyAzeez al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans is penalized for unnecessary roughness against Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio noted the absence of a fine for Al-Shaair on the NFL football operations portal, citing surprise due to the Texans team captain’s history of run-ins. He was fined earlier this season after a hit to the head of Tennessee Titans QB Cam Ward.
“Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has a fairly extensive history of fines for in-game infractions. He seemed to be in line to get another one, after being called for unnecessary roughness to cap a tackle of Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold on Monday night,” Florio wrote on October 25. “Ultimately, no fine was imposed on Al-Shaair.
“While the officials saw it as unnecessary roughness, the league office — the same group that suspended Al-Shaair three games last December — opted not to fine him, again.”
Florio was among those anticipating some further discipline for Al-Shaair, again, due to his past.
“Al-Shaair was flagged. He’ll undoubtedly be fined, again. The question is whether he will be suspended, again,” Florio wrote in an article on October 21. “Monday night’s hit against Darnold was Al-Shaair’s third finable offense since returning from the suspension.
“Will his third fine in his ninth game since returning from a three-game suspension spark another one? If it’s going to happen, it’ll be happening soon.”
Instead, the league office appears to have seen things closer to how Al-Shaair explained them.
Azeez Al-Shaair Stands Ground After Latest Polarizing Penalty
GettyAzeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Al-Shaair was adamant that he did nothing wrong. He said he questioned the officials during the Texans’ eventual loss to the Seahawks, but was told in varying ways that he hit Darnold late.
“It really was me running with my receiver, him running. I pushed off of the receiver, right to the tackle. He lowers his shoulder. We both just kind of hit each other. I’m driving him. He’s trying to drive his legs. Still no whistle, but my head is in his chest. So, I don’t know really where I’m at on the field. There’s still no whistle. They never blew the whistle until after I dropped him on the ground,” Al-Shaair told reporters on October 21.
“It’s just confusing because that happened a whole bunch today. And I don’t – I guess, normally, that you’re able to kind of play a little bit longer with the whistle. But it just awkwardly – if the guy stopped, then blow the whistle. So, I just – it was weird.”
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans backed Al-Shaair’s explanation of the play.
“I think that happened a few times in the game,” Ryans said on Tuesday, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson. “Definitely agree there. Plays weren’t stopped when they should have been stopped.”
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