Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was carted off the field Sunday after taking a violent elbow to the facemask from Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair that prompted two sideline-clearing scuffles.
Lawrence was scrambling for a 6-yard gain on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter. He initiated a slide before Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback.
Lawrence clinched both fists after the hit — movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. He was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense and mobbed Al-Shaair, whose latest perceived cheap shot could result in a suspension.
Lawrence eventually was helped to his feet and loaded into the front seat of a cart to be taken off the field. He was not transported to a hospital for tests. He was quickly ruled out with a concussion.
Fox Sports color analyst Daryl Johnston was outraged by the hit, calling it a “cheap shot” that’s “disrespectful” to an opponent and the game.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans told Fox Sports at halftime the play was “not representative of us.” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said it was a “blatant hit.”
Al-Shaair and Jaguars Jarrian Jones were ejected after the first altercation. As Al-Shaair was leaving the field, fans and veteran guard Brandon Scherff started shouting at him and ignited another melee.
Officials and coaches got the teams under control before play resumed.
Mac Jones replaced Lawrence.
JAGS’ LITTLE GETS NEW DEAL: Jaguars left tackle Walker Little, who didn’t land a full-time starting job until the team traded veteran Cam Robinson in October, signed a three-year contract extension worth $45 million, including roughly $26 million guaranteed.
A second-round draft pick out of Stanford in 2021, Little has made 22 starts over four seasons. The Jaguars played him at left tackle, right tackle and even guard in hopes of finding him the right spot.
Now, he’s Lawrence’s blind-side protector for the future — even though Jacksonville has made no commitment to GM Trent Baalke or coach Doug Pederson beyond the rest of this season.
The Jags currently are in position to have a top-five pick for the third time in five years. The draft isn’t considered very deep at left tackle and neither is the 2025 free-agent pool, making the decision to keep Little understandable.