Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was carted off the field after taking a violent elbow to the facemask from Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
The hit from Al-Shaair led to a massive melee that spilled onto the bench before he was ejected from the contest.
Lawrence scrambled for a six-yard gain before sliding, but Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenceless quarterback.
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The quarterback clinched both fists – movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury.
Lawrence eventually was helped to his feet and loaded into the front seat of a cart to be taken off the field. He was not transported to a hospital for tests, but was ruled out.
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Fox Sports colour analyst Daryl Johnston was outraged by the hit, calling it a “cheap shot” that was “disrespectful” to an opponent and the game.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans told Fox Sports at halftime the play was “not representative of us.” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said it was a “blatant hit.”
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Officials and coaches eventually got the teams under control before play resumed.
Mac Jones replaced Lawrence, with the Jaguars suffering another defeat.