Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Won't play against Cleveland
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Al-Shaair (groin/personal) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Al-Shaair was held out of practice all week due to a groin injury and a personal matter, although it's unclear which issue is the bigger reason why the veteran linebacker will be sidelined for Sunday's road contest. Wade Woodaz and Jake Hummel (groin) -- the latter of whom is on injured reserve -- are the top candidates to start alongside Henry To'oTo'o and Jake Hansen at linebacker. Al-Shaair's next chance to play is Week 11 against the Colts on Thursday.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Non-participant again Thursday
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Al-Shaair (groin/personal) remained absent from practice Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Al-Shaair played through a groin injury in Week 9, and it's unclear whether that or his personal issue is the driving force behind his pair of practice absences to begin Week 10 prep. The starting linebacker has one more chance to resume practicing Firday before the Texans face the Browns on Sunday.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Doesn't practice Wednesday
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Al-Shaair (groin/personal) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's injury report, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Al-Shaair was working through a groin issue during Week 9 prep but was cleared to play against the Chargers on Sunday, when he logged 10 tackles (four solo) and one pass defense in a 44-22 win for the Texans. He'll have two more chances to increase his practice participation and avoid an injury designation for Week 10 against the Browns on Nov. 15.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Full practice Thursday
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Al-Shaair (groin) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
The veteran linebacker is fine for Sunday's game against the winless Chargers. Al-Shaair has recorded 58 tackles (22 solo) and a pair of pass breakups across six starts this season.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Dealing with groin injury
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Al-Shaair (groin) was a limited participant at the Texans' practice Wednesday.
Al-Shaair appears to be dealing with a groin injury coming out of Houston's bye week in Week 8. The linebacker's ability to practice in any capacity would suggest it's a minor issue, but he will have two more chances to practice in full and prove his health before Sunday's matchup with the Chargers.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Tallies nine tackles Sunday
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Al-Shaair recorded nine tackles (two solo) in a Week 7 overtime loss to the Giants on Sunday.
Al-Shaair battled a knee injury during Week 7 prep but seemed to be fine Sunday, as he played every one of Houston's defensive snaps. The veteran linebacker has been a consistent producer this season, logging at least seven stops in each of the six contests in which he's played. Al-Shaair posted 103 tackles over 16 regular-season games last year, and he's on pace to easily surpass that mark with 58 stops through six contests this season.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Upgrades to limited practice
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Al-Shaair was a limited practice participant Thursday.
This is good news for Al-Shaair after he was a non-participant in practice Wednesday. The veteran linebacker may, however, need to log a full practice session Friday to avoid a designation entering the weekend. Al-Shaair has once again been a central component of the Texans' defense this season, logging double-digit tackles in three of his five contests so far.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: DNP with knee injury
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Al-Shaair (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
Al-Shaair briefly exited the Texans' Week 6 win over the Jaguars in London, but the hiatus was to be evaluated for a concussion. There was no indication during the game, but the linebacker likely sustained the knee injury in the London victory. It remains to be seen if Wednesday's absence was partially vet rest or if the defensive signal caller is dealing with a more serious issue that could keep him out of the Week 7 game against the Giants.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Cleared to return vs. Jacksonville
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Al-Shaair has cleared concussion protocol and will be available for the second half of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Al-Shaair was being evaluated by medical staff for a possible concussion in the second quarter. The veteran linebacker has passed all the benchmarks and will be back on the field for the second half of Sunday's contest in London.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Getting checked for concussion
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Al-Shaair is being evaluated for a possible concussion and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
Al-Shaair was shaken up during Bhayshul Tuten's 27-yard touchdown catch midway through the second quarter. If Al-Shaair ends up being ruled out for the rest of Sunday's contest, the Texans will turn to Jake Hansen and Henry To'oTo'o to step up in his absence.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Ruled out versus Dallas
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Al-Shaair (groin) is listed as out for Sunday's game against Dallas.
Al-Shaair suffered a groin injury in the 19-17 loss to the Colts in Week 3. Head coach DeMeco Ryans stated Wednesday that the 29-year-old is considered "week-to-week," meaning his absence could extend beyond Sunday's intrastate meeting with the Cowboys. As a result, Wade Woodaz (ankle/thumb), who logged a career-high 17 snaps versus Indianapolis, could continue to be more involved.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Returns to Sunday's game
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Al-Shaair (groin) has returned to Sunday's game against the Colts, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Al-Shaair briefly left the game due to a groin injury. The veteran linebacker has been cleared to return after being evaluated by medical staff, and Wade Woodaz is on standby in case Al-Shaair needs to leave the game again.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Eight tackles in home loss
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Al-Shaair made eight tackles (five solo) in Sunday's 36-31 loss to the Bills.
The starting middle linebacker and signal caller played all 56 of the Texans' defensive snaps in Sunday's contest. Al-Shaair was unable to get his hands on any passes or assist in bringing down Josh Allen in the game as the team gave up its highest point total since Dec. 24, 2023, against the Browns (36-22).
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Participating in training camp
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Al-Shaair (thumb) was on the field participating in Thursday's practice, Ashley Landis of hjnews.com reports.
Al-Shaair underwent thumb surgery in early February after suffering an injury near the end of the 2025 regular season and then playing through it in the postseason. The starting middle linebacker has returned to team activities armed with a new $54 million deal and a clean bill of health.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Undergoes thumb surgery
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Al-Shaair had thumb surgery Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
The linebacker is expected to make a full recovery, but it remains to be seen if the surgery will impact Al-Shaair's availability for OTAs. He recorded 103 tackles and a career-high nine passes defended, including two interceptions, over 16 regular-season games in 2025.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Leading tackler in 2025
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Al-Shaair recorded 103 tackles (48 solo), nine passes defensed (two interceptions), one forced fumble and one recovery over 16 regular-season games in 2025.
Al-Shaair was again the leader of Houston's defense, which was one of the best in the NFL in 2025. He led the team in tackles and earned the highest grades in run defense, coverage and overall performance from Pro Football Focus. The 28-year-old is locked in for one more season and will return as Houston's signal caller in 2026.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Cleared to play Week 18
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Al-Shaair (knee) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Colts.
Al-Shaair was able to shake off an injury tag for Week 18 after logging a full practice Friday. The veteran linebacker has accumulated 102 combined tackles through 15 regular-season games and will continue to anchor a Texans defense that has been one of the best units in the NFL this season.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Thwarts red-zone drive
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Al-Shaair had six tackles and an interception in Saturday's 20-16 win over the Chargers in Week 17.
Al-Shaair, who returned to action after a one-week absence due to an ankle injury, made momentum-shifting play late in the second quarter. With the Texans leading 14-3, and Los Angeles threatening inside the red zone, he picked off a deflected Justin Herbert pass at the one-yard line. It was the second interception in Al-Shaair's last three games.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Ready to play Saturday
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Al-Shaair (ankle) does not carry an injury designation for Saturday's game against the Chargers.
Al-Shaair began Week 17 prep with back-to-back limited practices before upgrading to full reps Thursday. After having been unavailable Week 16 versus the Raiders, he now stands to return to his usual every-down role at middle linebacker during Saturday's road game against Los Angeles.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Limited to begin Week 17 prep
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Al-Shaair (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Tuesday.
Al-Shaair missed his first game of the season Sunday against the Raiders due to an ankle injury. He logged only one practice -- a limited session Thursday -- last week, so his ability to participate (albeit in a limited capacity) to begin this week is a positive sign. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Al-Shaair is expected to suit up Saturday against the Chargers.
