Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair reportedly fined $17,911 for hit on Josh Downs

Tom Pelissero reported on October 3 that the NFL fined Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair $17,911 for a hit on Colts receiver Josh Downs the previous week. Pelissero said Al-Shaair previously could have faced a repeat-offender suspension, but a new NFL-NFLPA agreement gave all players a clean slate at the start of 2026, so this counts as his first strike.