Houston Texans GM puts NFL on blast for handling of excessive Al-Shaair suspension
STRONG WORDS
03 December 2024
Nick Caserio was hot! Composite Getty Image.
Following the NFL's three-game suspension of linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for his controversial hit on Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence, Texans GM Nick Caserio met with the media and aired some grievances, calling the decision “Bullsh*t.”
Caserio took issue with the consistency in how the NFL hands out punishments, and the shots taken at Al-Shaair's character by NFL VP Jon Runyan.
Caserio brought receipts about the league's decision when noting that Al-Shaair has never been suspended or ejected from a game, yet he's being suspended for three games for his actions on Sunday.
The Texans GM provided examples of how the league has handled players like Kareem Jackson and Brian Branch who engaged in similar behavior but didn't receive similar punishment. Especially with Jackson, who was suspended four games for his second suspension in 2023.
Be sure to watch the video below as Caserio goes scorched-earth on the NFL's decision.
The Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday acquired tackle Austin Deculus from the Houston Texans.
The Chargers will send a 2027 conditional seventh-round pick to Houston.
Deculus was picked sixth by Houston in the 2022 NFL draft and has appeared in 15 career games including the postseason, making a pair of starts.
He saw the most action of his career in 2023, when he played in seven games with one start, contributing along an offensive line that helped quarterback C.J. Stroud throw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns.
A four-year starter at right tackle at Louisiana State, Deculus played five years for the Tigers, making 46 starts. His 61 games were the most by any player in program history. Deculus played with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow.
With Deculus off the roster, here's a look at how the Texans look after cutting down to 53 players.
The Initial 53-Man Roster 🤘 pic.twitter.com/78xyi1kopY
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 26, 2025
