Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was carted off the field during the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Texans after a crushing hit from Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, which sparked two separate shoving matches between the teams and led to a pair of ejections.
The dirty hit occurred with just over four minutes left in the first half when Lawrence scrambled and started his slide, with Al-Shaair’s forearm and body connecting with Lawrence’s helmet.
Azeez Al-Shaair injured Trevor Lawrence with a hit in the first half. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Trevor Lawrence was hit and sustained a head injury after sliding during the Jaguars’ game on Dec. 1. Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesHe remained on the ground while nearly two dozen players started shoving near the Jaguars’ sideline, and eventually, Lawrence — who was ruled out with a head injury — was helped onto the passenger seat of a cart and was driven off the field.
“It’s a play that has no business in our league,” head coach Doug Pederson told reporters postgame, according to Pro Football Talk.
Another scuffle broke out after Al-Shaair and Jaguars offensive lineman Brandon Scherff started shouting at each other, according to the Fox broadcast, and Jacksonville fans threw items at Al-Shaair as he walked toward the tunnel.
Al-Shaair and Jacksonville cornerback Jarrian Jones were ejected, while tight end Evan Engram also drew a penalty for unnecessary roughness.
“It was a dirty hit,” Engram told reporters, according to the Associated Press. “Obviously those hits are always in question. … It just didn’t feel like a clean hit, so just go stick up for my quarterback.”
Trevor Lawrence was injured during the first half of the Jaguars-Texans game on Dec. 1. AP
Trevor Lawrence was carted off the field following his injury on Dec. 1. USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesFormer Patriots first-round pick Mac Jones entered at quarterback for the Jaguars, who trailed the Texans, 6-0, and had just gotten Lawrence back under center this week after missing two games with a shoulder injury.
The former No. 1 overall pick has struggled for most of the season — throwing for just 2,004 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions entering Sunday’s game — as the Jaguars started 2-9, and their record only worsened after a 23-20 loss to Houston.
Pederson told reporters that Lawrence was in concussion protocol and didn’t speculate about when — or if — he could possibly return this season, according to Pro Football Talk.
The Jaguars travel to face the Titans next week before hosting the Jets on Dec. 15.
