Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended by the NFL without pay for three games Tuesday for repeated violations of player safety rules following his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.

Al-Shaair’s punishment was announced by NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan. In his letter to Al-Shaair, Runyan noted that he has had multiple offenses for personal fouls and sportsmanship-related rules violations in recent seasons.

Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter of Houston’s 23-20 win on Sunday. He initiated a slide before Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback.

In his letter to Al-Shaair, Runyan called the hit “unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules.”

“Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide,” Runyan wrote. “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.”

Al-Shaair is appealing the suspension, according to a person with knowledge of the decision who spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because the appeal is pending.

If the suspension is upheld, Al-Shaair won’t be eligible to return until after the team’s Christmas Day game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Al-Shaair has a base salary of $1.5 million this season, meaning it will cost him about $265,000 if the three-game suspension is upheld.

Broncos hold off Browns >> Ja’Quan McMillian returned an interception 44 yards for a game-sealing touchdown with 1:48 remaining, and the Denver Broncos spoiled career-best performances by Cleveland quarterback Jameis Winston and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, beating the Browns 41-32 on Monday night.

Winston threw for a franchise-record 497 yards and four touchdowns, and Jeudy had nine catches for 235 yards — the most in NFL history by a receiver against his former team — and a TD. Jeudy played his first four seasons with Denver.

Winston also had three passes intercepted, two that were returned for touchdowns. (Nik Bonitto had a 71-yard return in the second quarter).

Winston became the first NFL quarterback to throw for 400 or more yards with four or more TD passes and two pick-sixes.

Denver rookie quarterback Bo Nix passed for 294 yards, including a deep pass to Marvin Mims Jr. on a 93-yard TD play. Nix also had two passes intercepted.

The Broncos (8-5) enter their bye week in the seventh and final playoff spot. They haven’t been in the playoffs since winning the Super Bowl after the 2015 season.

Winston, who surpassed the Browns record of 457 yards set by Josh McCown in 2015, threw a 70-yard TD pass to Jeudy and a pair of scores to tight end David Njoku in falling to 2-3 as a starter for the Browns (3-9) since replacing the injured Deshaun Watson.

Cleveland led 32-31 on Winston’s 5-yard TD pass to Nick Chubb. Nix then drove the Broncos into scoring position Wil Lutz kicked a go-ahead 27-yard field goal with 2:54 remaining.

On the Browns’ possession, Winston’s pass to Elijah Moore was late and McMillian jumped the route. He fell to the turf untouched after making the catch, got up and sprinted to the end zone.

Panthers president promoted >> Carolina Panthers team president Kristi Coleman has been promoted to chief executive officer of Tepper Sports & Entertainment (TSE), owner David Tepper announced Tuesday, making her one of the highest-ranking females in the professional sports industry.

Coleman will continue to serve as the Panthers president.

Tepper said the leadership transition is part of a broader strategic initiative to enhance organizational effectiveness and collaboration by streamlining operations.