Azeez

Al-Shaair

Rapoport reports that linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) will also play after being listed as questionable on Friday. Mixon suffered his ankle injury on Wednesday and was a DNP on Thursday, so we don’t know much about the severity of his injury other than it’s not believed to be “a major injury,” according to a report from Friday. It sounds like the Texans will be able to lean on Mixon in his normal role on Saturday as the Texans hope to top the Chiefs and make a trip to the AFC Championship Game next week.

This is one worth watching. After popping up as limited following an ankle injury he sustained in Wednesday’s practice, Mixon was a DNP on Thursday and officially carries a questionable designation into the weekend. It’s possible Mixon was sidelined on Thursday out of precaution, but his status will be one to monitor until the team officially confirms his availabilty. In addition to Mixon, LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and WR Robert Woods (hip) are also listed as questionable.

Al-Shaair was suspended for three games after delivering a significant blow to Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence’s head as Lawrence slid. His hit led to a brawl during the Texans and Jaguars’ Week 13 matchup and Al-Shaair was subsequently ejected. Lawrence is expected to miss the season with the concussion he suffered on the hit and due to surgery on a shoulder injury he sustained prior to returning for Week 13. Ramon Foster was appointed to oversee Al-Shaair’s appeal of his suspension; Foster upheld the three-game absence. The Texans defense will suffer from missing Al-Shaair, who has seven tackles for loss and two sacks as a starting linebacker and captain. He is eligible to return Week 17 against the Ravens.

Al-Shaair, who has a lengthy history of dirty hits, delivered a vicious head shot to Lawrence as he slid down during the Texans’ Week 13 win over Jacksonville. The illegal hit ignited an all-out brawl, during with Al-Shaair yanked down a Jaguars player by the facemask. He continued his aggression after refs threw him out of the game. It’s a significant loss for the Houston defense. Al-Shaair, who has two sacks and seven QB hurries on the season, is graded by Pro Football Focus as the league’s 18th best linebacker. He’ll be eligible to return in Week 17 against the Ravens. Al-Shaair will reportedly appeal the suspension.

Schefter added that “the only question is for how long” Al-Shaair could be suspended. The Texans linebacker delivered a brutal shot to the head of a sliding Lawrence on Sunday that immediately placed the quarterback in the league’s concussion protocol. It wasn’t the first time a hit by Al-Shaair was drawn into question, as so many pointed out via social media. Al-Shaair posted an apology to Lawrence on Monday, we’ll see if that bears any weight on whatever punishment the league decides to hand down in the coming days.

Pierce was ruled out earlier in the week because of his groin injury. The Texans will also be missing Ward due to a groin issue, Patterson with a concussion and Al-Shaair out due to a shoulder injury.

The Texans also ruled out Henry To’oTo’o (concussion) and S Jimmie Ward (groin). Expect the Packers to attack the Texans’ centerfield defense as a result. This defense is currently one to target for fantasy purposes.

Al-Shaair had one tackle before leaving and lead the team in solo tackles entering the day at 26. Neville Hewitt replaced Al-Shaair at linebacker.

Al-Shaair, after one year with the Titans, will reunite with DeMeco Ryans, who coached Al-Shaair in San Francisco. After logging 163 tackles and four sacks in 2023, Al-Shaair will join a Texans defense graded by Pro Football Focus as the NFL’s tenth best unit.

No contract details are available yet. Al-Shaair was a popular free agent with a couple different 49ers regime in the wild, and lands with Titans GM Ran Carthon, who was high in the SF front office pecking order. Turning 26 in August, this is a good rebound signing for the Titans after they lost David Long in free agency.