Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair could be suspended for his latest cheap shot

The penalty was costly for Houston, as the Seahawks went on to score a touchdown on the drive and take an early 14-0 lead. It will likely be costly for Al-Shaair as well.

While the late hit was not overly egregious, Al-Shaair has a long history of being fined and suspended for cheap shots. He was fined $17,389 for roughing the passer in Houston’s Week 4 game against the Tennessee Titans. Al-Shaair was fined $20,555 for an illegal hit with the crown of his helmet during the Texans’ first-round playoff win over the Los Angeles Chargers last season.

The illegal hit in the playoffs came less than two weeks after Al-Shaair was suspended three games for a hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He had served two separate four-game suspensions prior to that for dirty plays and helmet-to-helmet hits.

In total, Al-Shaair has been flagged for illegal hits more than a dozen times. He has been fined on numerous occasions. The 28-year-old will almost certainly be fined for his late hit on Darnold, and a suspension is not out of the question.