“He didn’t intend to do that”: Texans QB C.J. Stroud took a stand for his teammate Azeez Al-Shaair’s dirty hit on Jaguars Trevor Lawrence

In Week 13, the Houston Texans beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-20, but starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was ejected for a dirty hit on Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Jags took exception to the hit, and there was a scuffle between the two sides. Al-Shaair was ejected, and Lawrence was ruled out for the game with a concussion. C.J. Stroud's reaction after the game was interesting. Lawrence remained still on the grass following a cart-off the field. But Stroud still denied Al-Shaair meant to harm Lawrence on that hit despite that scenario being difficult to sit out and watch.Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud apparently took a stand on Wednesday for his teammate Azeez Al-Shaair after the linebacker was ejected from Houston's 23-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars because of a second-quarter cheap shot at Trevor Lawrence, who was ruled out because of a head injury. Stroud briefly addressed the heated on-field moment during a postgame interview with Fox reporter Laura Okmin.“I’m asking you this because you wear a C on your chest, how do you feel about Azeez’s hit, the fight and just the optics of all of it today?” Okmin asked Stroud. “It was tough to see Trev go out like that. Azeez, I don’t think that’s his intent, and it sucks to see a player ever go down,” Stroud said. “Prayers go to Trev. I hope Azeez learns from it, but you know I’m still rocking with my brother. I know he didn’t mean it, he didn’t intend to do that.”Also Read: Washington Commanders released CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr., cutting ties with another high draft pick from the previous regimeThe Texans beat their division foes for the second time this season, as Mac Jones filled in for injured Lawrence. Houston moved to 8-5 and remained atop the AFC South, while Jacksonville dropped to 2-10. The Texans will celebrate their win, but for now, at least, they retain a stranglehold atop AFC South as the playoff picture begins to come into focus. Houston will turn its attention quickly to Week 14, where they face the Miami Dolphins.