Azeez

Al-Shaair

That will unlock some of Indianapolis’ wideout options should Riley Leonard be able to aim the ball in their direction. Derek Stingley (oblique) is off the injury report, as is linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. It doesn’t sound like Lassiter would be resting if this were a win-and-in game for the Texans.

Lassiter got hurt in Week 17 against the Chargers, but was able to return later in the game. Thus far, he has missed both practices in Week 18. Fellow starting CB Derek Stingley (oblique) resumed practicing today, as did LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee/shoulder). The Texans (11-5) have secured a playoff spot, yet trail the Jaguars (12-4) in the AFC South standings. If the Jaguars lose to the Titans this week, the Texans can steal the division title by beating the Colts. The outcome seems unlikely.

He got in a limited session to get on to the questionable line after missing Wednesday and Thursday practice. Azeez Al-Shaair was limited on Thursday, but did not participate in Wednesday or Friday practice for the Texans. Both players should be considered true question marks for Week 16’s action against the Raiders.

The restructuring of Al-Shaair freed up $6.26 million in cap space for the upcoming season. Al-Shaair is perhaps most known for his illegal hit on Trevor Lawrence that saw the league levy a three-game suspension against him. Al-Shaair joined the Texans on a three-year, $34 million deal and is under contract through 2026. Last season he totaled 70 tackles and two sacks in 11 games while earning a PFF defensive grade of 68.9.

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.