NFL Makes Big Ruling on Suspension for Upcoming Chiefs Game

The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up to play the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football. After playing the Chargers in Week 14, the Chiefs have a highly-anticipated matchup against the Houston Texans in Week 16.

For both teams, it will be their second game within a 10-day window, as Houston and Kansas City are scheduled to play on Christmas Day. However, the Texans will not have one of their key defenders for this Week 16 matchup, which will impact the Chiefs’ offense.

According to NFL Senior VP of Football and International Communications Michael Signora, hearing officer Ramon Foster upheld the three-game suspension for Texans veteran linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

The league initially levied its ruling against Al-Shaair on Tuesday after he was ejected from last week’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The veteran defender delivered a violent blow to the head/neck area of Jaguars starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who was in the process of sliding after escaping from the pocket in the second quarter.

After Al-Shaair delivered the dangerous hit, a fracas broke out on the field. The Texans LB tried to appeal the suspension, but it didn’t work.

Without Al-Shaair on the field, star QB Patrick Mahomes should look to attack the middle of the field with tight ends Travis Kelce and Noah Gray. This season, Al-Shaair has a 63.9 completion percentage allowed on targets and a 92.8 pass rating allowed when targeted.

We don’t know what the playoff scenarios will look like in Week 16, but the Chiefs need to try to win every game the rest of the way as they try to hold on to the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

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