Al-Shaair (knee) does not have any injury designation for Sunday's game against the Giants, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Al-Shaair was a full participant in Friday's practice. The middle linebacker managed to improve his practice participation in each Week 7 prep session, and the Texans' defensive signal caller is all set to suit up for Sunday's game.
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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: Exits game due to groin injury
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Al-Shaair (groin) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Colts, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Al-Shaair is being evaluated by medical staff to determine whether he can return to Sunday's game. Wade Woodaz will see a bump in playing time on defense for as long as Al-Shaair is out of the game.
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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.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Not playing Sunday
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Al-Shaair (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup versus the Raiders.
Al-Shaair will miss his first game of the season due to an ankle injury he sustained earlier in the week. In his absence, Christian Harris is expected to start at middle linebacker against Las Vegas.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Looking likely to play Week 16
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Al-Shaair (ankle/knee), who is officially questionable for Sunday's game against Las Vegas, is trending toward playing, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Al-Shaair is likely to be a game-time decision, per Wilson, but the current expectation is that he'll be able to suit up. The veteran linebacker managed just a DNP/LP/DNP practice progression this week, so chances are he'll be less than 100 percent even if he does get clearance to play. Al-Shaair hasn't missed a game this season and has logged every Texans defensive snap in 10 of the team's 14 contests to date.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Gets in limited practice
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Al-Shaair (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Al-Shaair missed Wednesday's practice entirely, but he's beginning to trend in the right direction for Week 16. The starting linebacker generally handles an every-down role on defense for Houston. He'll have one more chance to prove he can handle full practice reps Friday.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Nursing ankle injury
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Al-Shaair (ankle) did not participate at practice Wednesday.
Al-Shaair snagged an interception on Kansas City's last meaningful possession of the game in Week 14 to help clinch a win, but it seems he may also have picked up an ankle issue somewhere along the way. He'll likely need to return to practice Thursday or Friday to have a realistic chance of playing in Week 15 versus the Cardinals.
