HOU Azeez Al-Shaair
NFL linebacker. Position: LB. Team: Houston Texans.
Quick Facts
- Position: Linebacker
- Team: Houston Texans
- 2025 accomplishment: First Pro Bowl nod
2026 Outlook
Al-Shaair is the defensive linchpin for the Texans' elite defense. When he's on the field, the Texans are the league's best defensive unit. Over the past two seasons, with Al-Shaair on field (1,406 plays), the Texans ranked 1st in EPA/Play Allowed (-0.13), 1st in EPA/Pass Allowed (-0.10), 1st in Yards/Play (4.8), and T-6th in Yards Before Contact on runs (1.23). Without him (573 plays), they drop to 13th in EPA/Play (-0.02), 20th in EPA/Pass (0.09), and 11th in Yards/Play (5.4). His ability to be a two-way defender, erase the middle of the field, blitz effectively, and cover running backs is critical for a defense designed to constantly attack and swarm offenses. Even with other elite starters returning, Al-Shaair is the "glue" player who holds together the Texans' defensive structure. (per x-factor-nfl-players-who-can-swing-the-season-for-super-bowl-contenders)
Role / Depth Chart
Starting linebacker, middle of the Texans' defense. Two-way player who blitzes, covers, and diagnoses run plays.
Injury Status
Out in Week 4 with groin injury (per Houston Texans Get Confirmation From NFL After Bad News - Yahoo Sports). Status unclear for Week 5+.
Recent News
- 2026-09-07 — Azeez Al-Shaair, Will Anderson Jr. headline Texans' team captains for 2026 NFL season (Azeez Al-Shaair, Will Anderson Jr. headline Texans' team captains for 2026 NFL season)
- 2026-10-09 — Texans will have Azeez Al-Shaair, Will Anderson Jr., Jadeveon Clowney (Texans will have Azeez Al-Shaair, Will Anderson Jr., Jadeveon Clowney)
- 2026-10-04 — Fined $17,911 for hit on Colts WR Josh Downs in Week 3; under 2026 clean-slate rule, this counts as strike one (previous 2024 suspension does not carry forward). Dodged suspension due to new NFL-NFLPA agreement. Out Week 4 with groin injury. (Texans LB Dodges Worst-Case Scenario From NFL Thanks to Key Rule Change - Yahoo Sports)
- 2026-09-27 — NFL told Azeez Al-Shaair he'd be pulled from Texans game over pro-Palestinian eyeblack... (NFL told Azeez Al-Shaair he'd be pulled from Texans game over pro-Palestinian eyeblack...)
- 2026-09-16 — NFL fines Azeez Al-Shaair again for eye-black message (NFL fines Azeez Al-Shaair again for eye-black message)
- 2026-09-16 — Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair to be fined once again by NFL for wearing Pro-Palestinian... (Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair to be fined once again by NFL for wearing Pro-Palestinian...)
- 2026-07-03 — Named Texans' X-factor for Super Bowl chances (x-factor-nfl-players-who-can-swing-the-season-for-super-bowl-contenders)