Dec 1, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) slides down in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) in the second quarter in the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair suspended 3 games for hit on Trevor Lawrence

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended three games by the NFL on Tuesday after his hit on Trevor Lawrence resulted in the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback being carted off the field.

The NFL cited in its statement that Al-Shaair’s “repeated violations of rules intended to protect the health and safety of players and promote sportsmanship” were considered in the suspension.

ESPN reported that Al-Shaair plans to appeal the suspension.

The Texans (8-5), who are on their bye in Week 14, will host the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 15, visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 21 and host the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day. Al-Shaair currently would be eligible to return to action for the team’s season finale against the Tennessee Titans.

Lawrence was carrying the ball and went into a feet-first slide at Houston’s 45-yard line during the second quarter of Sunday’s game. Al-Shaair, 27, launched into him and delivered a forearm shot near the quarterback’s head and shoulder.

Multiple skirmishes erupted as Lawrence lay prone on the field. Al-Shaair was ejected, along with Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones, while multiple penalties offset.

Lawrence immediately displayed the hand motion known as fencing that is associated with traumatic brain injury. However, he was able to stand after being attended to briefly and he sat up while being taken to the locker room on a cart.

“You were involved in a play that the (NFL) considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules,” Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, wrote in his explanation to Al-Shaair. “Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide. … You led with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area of your opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact.”

Runyan didn’t stop there.

“(Al-Shaair) proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his facemask.” Runyan added that after being ejected, Al-Shaair removed his helmet and “re-engaged with your opponent while walking down and across the field, which started another physical confrontation near the end zone.”

Al-Shaair, 27, was flagged and later fined $11,255 last week for a late hit out of bounds on Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard. He also was fined $11,817 earlier this season after he punched Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline.

“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL,” Runyan wrote. “Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce reacts in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NCAA penalizes Raiders coach Antonio Pierce over ASU violations

The NCAA slapped Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce with a significant penalty that will take effect should he ever return to college coaching.

The Division I Committee on Infractions announced Thursday that Pierce received an eight-year show-cause order for his role in recruiting violations when he served as associate head coach on the staff of former Sun Devils coach Herm Edwards.

The committee said Pierce and former noncoaching staff member Anthony Garnett “participated in a program wide effort to engage in impermissible recruiting activities during the COVID-19 dead period.”

As a result, should Pierce ever be hired by an NCAA school, he will be suspended for the first year. Garnett received a five-year show-cause order and a one-year suspension.

Earlier this year, four other members of the Arizona State staff agreed to penalties for violating the dead period, but Pierce and Garnett contested.

The NCAA laid out a series of events that were part of what it termed as a recruiting “scheme.” Pierce, other football staff members and a booster orchestrated unofficial — and impermissible — visits to Tempe, Ariz., for recruits and their families during a time in which in-person recruiting was on pause due to the pandemic.

The NCAA said the committee’s investigation found that Pierce “ran the show” and some members of the coaching staff feared they would be fired if they didn’t follow his orders.

Pierce, 45, was an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator for the Sun Devils from 2017-21. He resigned prior to the 2022 season and was hired as the linebackers coach of the Raiders.

Pierce took over as interim head coach in Las Vegas on Oct. 31, 2023, when Josh McDaniels was fired. The team named him the permanent head coach in January.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller (40) sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Bills’ Von Miller suspended 4 games for personal conduct violation

The NFL suspended Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller for four games without pay Tuesday for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Miller can be reinstated after the Bills play their Week 8 game against the Seattle Seahawks Oct. 28. He’ll also miss games against the Houston Texans, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans during that time.

Miller, 35, turned himself in to police in suburban Dallas last November in response to an arrest warrant in a domestic violence case involving his pregnant girlfriend. He was wanted for third-degree felony assault, but no charges were ever filed in the case and Miller has maintained his innocence.

Officers responded to a “major disturbance call” at the couple’s home the morning of Nov. 29. Miller is accused of arguing with a pregnant woman and then assaulting her.

Miller was allowed to play while the investigation was conducted.

An eight-time Pro Bowler, seven-time All-Pro (including three first-team selections) and two-time Super Bowl champion, Miller has collected three sacks in Buffalo’s first four games this season coming off the bench.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Chargers S Derwin James suspended 1 game for illegal hits

The NFL suspended Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James one game on Monday for “repeated violations” of league rules to protect players’ health and safety.

James will appeal the suspension, The Athletic reported. Otherwise, the Chargers will be without their former Pro Bowl safety for their Week 4 contest against the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.

The suspension comes after James led with his helmet when landing a hit on Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth on Sunday in a 20-10 loss. James was penalized on the play, saying after the game that he was frustrated to be flagged and didn’t believe he hit Freiermuth in the head or neck.

“During the third quarter of Sunday’s Chargers-Steelers game you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules,” NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote in a letter to James. “The video of the play shows that you lowered your head and made forcible contact (with Freiermuth). You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided.

“Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated. Substantial penalties are warranted when players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player.”

James’ appeal will be heard by either Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae or Jordy Nelson, all retired NFL players jointly appointed as hearing officers by the NFL and NFLPA.

James, 28, has 21 tackles and one sack in three games this year. He has played six seasons for the Chargers since they drafted him in the first round in 2018, missing all of 2020 due to injury. He was a first-team All-Pro selection as a rookie and is a three-time Pro Bowler.

In 69 career games (all starts), James has totaled 518 tackles (26 for loss), 12.5 sacks, 23 quarterback hits, 32 pass breakups, eight interceptions and five forced fumbles.

–Field Level Media

Oklahoma's DeMarco Murray, running backs coach, before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Oklahoma won 16-13.

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Oklahoma RBs coach DeMarco Murray suspended 1 game

The NCAA issued a one-game suspension to Oklahoma running backs coach DeMarco Murray on Tuesday for recruiting violations.

Murray, a former NFL rushing champion and three-time Pro Bowl selection, joined the Sooners’ coaching staff in 2020.

According to a report from the NCAA Committee on Infractions, Murray made impermissible contact with 17 prospects over a 16-month period. That included 65 phone calls and 36 text messages, which the university discovered during a routine review of phone records.

Murray, 36, who starred at Oklahoma from 2007-10, presumably will sit out the Sooners’ season-opening game on Friday night against the visiting Temple Owls.

The NCAA investigation determined that Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables “was not personally involved in the violations and demonstrated that he promoted an atmosphere of compliance.”

The Dallas Cowboys drafted Murray in the third round in 2011. He earned All-Pro first-team honors in 2014 after leading the NFL with 1,845 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns in 16 starts for the Cowboys.

He retired after the 2017 season with 7,174 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns plus 2,165 receiving yards and six scores in 99 games (86 starts) with the Cowboys (2011-14), Philadelphia Eagles (2015) and Tennessee Titans (2016-17).

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (12) during organized team activities in Tempe on May 20, 2024.

Cardinals WR Zay Jones suspended 5 games for conduct

The NFL suspended Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones for five games on Friday for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Jones, 29, will have to sit out the season’s first five games without pay and will be eligible to return for a Week 6 game at Green Bay on Oct. 13.

Jones was arrested last November and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery causing bodily harm following an alleged altercation with the mother of his child. Florida prosecutors dropped the case in March.

He caught 34 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns in nine games (seven starts) with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.

After being released by the Jaguars in April, Jones signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals worth up to $2.25 million.

Jones has 287 catches for 3,028 yards and 18 touchdowns in 104 games (67 starts) with the Buffalo Bills (2017-19), Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2019-21) and Jaguars. Buffalo drafted him in the second round in 2017.

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips walks on the field before a game between the Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings suspend OC Wes Phillips for 3 weeks

The Minnesota Vikings suspended offensive coordinator Wes Phillips for three weeks following the legal resolution of his December 2023 traffic stop in Minneapolis.

The suspension began on Tuesday and he can return to work on April 23. He will miss the first week of the offseason strength and conditioning program that begins on April 14.

Phillips, 45, was stopped by police on Dec. 8 and charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence.

Police said he showed signs of impairment and he subsequently registered a blood alcohol content of 0.10 percent. The limit in Minnesota is 0.08 percent. He was booked in Hennepin County jail and released a few hours later after posting $300 bond.

On Feb. 15, Phillips pleaded guilty to an amended charge of misdemeanor careless driving and paid $378 in fines and court costs. He also was assigned eight hours of community service.

Phillips is heading into his third season as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator. He is the son of former NFL head coach and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

Wes Phillips has coached in the NFL since 2007 with the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington franchise, Los Angeles Rams and Vikings.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) walks off the field after the Chiefs defeated the Raiders 31-17 at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo to receive 2-game ban

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is being suspended two games by the NFL for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy, multiple outlets reported on Friday.

Per reports, Garoppolo used a prescribed medication without having a valid therapeutic use exemption from the NFL.

The Raiders are expected to part ways with Garoppolo prior to the fifth day of the new league year in March. He is due to receive an $11.25 million roster bonus if he remained with the team at that time. Under the terms of his contract, the suspension will void another $11.25 million in guaranteed salary, per Spotrac.

Should that be the case, Las Vegas would have last year’s rookie Aidan O’Connell and veteran Brian Hoyer as quarterbacks on its roster entering the new league year.

Garoppolo, 32, was benched after Josh McDaniels was fired as the Raiders’ head coach on Nov. 1, save for a spot appearance in which he had one incomplete pass and a sack in the team’s season finale against the Denver Broncos on Jan. 7.

Garoppolo completed 65.1 percent of his throws for 1,205 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions in seven games this past season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson (22) celebrates his turnover in the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Texans claim S Kareem Jackson off waivers from Broncos

Veteran safety Kareem Jackson was claimed off waivers Tuesday by the Houston Texans, the team where he spent the first nine seasons of his career.

Houston also placed safety Jimmie Ward on injured reserve. Ward hurt his quadriceps in Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns.

The Texans drafted Jackson in the first round of the 2010 draft as a cornerback. He became a safety when he joined the Denver Broncos in 2019.

But Jackson’s troubled tenure in Denver came to an end Monday when the team released him. Jackson has served two suspensions totaling six games this season due to hits deemed unnecessary roughness by the NFL. His second suspension concluded last week.

Jackson drew a two-game suspension for a hit to the head of Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave on Oct. 22. He later was suspended for four games, one day after a high blow to Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs on Nov. 19.

Overall, Jackson has been fined a total of $89,670 this season for four illegal hits. He also has lost more than $838,000 in missed game checks.

Jackson, 35, has 952 tackles and 22 career interceptions, returning three for touchdowns. He also has seven fumble recoveries, one returned for a score.

In eight games this season, Jackson recorded 51 tackles and two interceptions.

Jackson overlapped for two seasons in Houston with linebacker DeMeco Ryans — now the franchise’s head coach, and on the verge of taking the Texans (8-7) to the playoffs in his first season on the job.

Ward has 50 tackles and one interception in 10 games this season, his first with the Texans after nine seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Tony Brown (38) warms up Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, before facing the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.

Colts suspend CB Tony Brown, WR Isaiah McKenzie for 3 games

The Indianapolis Colts suspended cornerback Tony Brown and wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie on Tuesday for the final three games of the regular season for conduct detrimental to the team.

Both players were healthy scratches for the first time this season in Indianapolis’ 30-13 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. The reason behind the healthy scratches and the suspensions is not immediately known.

Brown, 28, has 10 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble in 12 games (one start) this season. He has 75 tackles, three forced fumbles, one interception and one sack in 61 career games (five starts) with the Green Bay Packers (2018-19), Cincinnati Bengals (2020) and Colts (2022-23).

McKenzie, 28, has 11 catches for 82 yards in 13 games this season. He has 152 receptions for 1,427 yards and 11 touchdowns in 93 career games with the Denver Broncos (2017-18), Buffalo Bills (2018-22) and Colts.

Also on Tuesday, the Colts signed running back Tyler Goodson to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. In addition, Indianapolis signed defensive end Zach McCloud, wide receiver Jaydon Mickens and wide receiver Juwann Winfree to the practice squad and released guard Lewis Kidd from the practice squad.

Goodson, 23, has 11 carries for 69 yards and five catches for 19 yards while playing in the Colts’ last three games.

–Field Level Media