The Houston Texans are all fired up and ready to take on the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in the Divisional Round. However, their thrilling victory over the Steelers in the Wild Card game came at a steep price for one of CJ Stroud’s key teammates.

“Source: Texans’ LB Azeez Al-Shaair was fined $11,593 for a violation of the NFL uniform and equipment rules for wearing eye black that contained a personal message during last week’s Wild Card game,” NFL insider Adam Schefter reported.

Azeez Al-Shaair had smeared a black eye strip under his eyes with the words “Stop the gen*cide.” The linebacker has repeatedly spoken out and joined initiatives to raise awareness about the Israel-Palestine conflict. Al-Shaair reportedly wore it to show solidarity with those affected in Gaza. However, the league has strict rules for using the platform for personal agendas.

The league punished him under Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 of the official NFL rulebook, which states: “Throughout the period on game day that a player is visible to the stadium and television audience (including in pregame warm-ups, in the bench area, and during postgame interviews in the locker room or on the field), players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office.”

However, in no case should such messages relate to “political activities,” “other non-football events,” or “charitable causes.” Al-Shaair has not issued a new statement on this fine, but in the past, the linebacker has commented on the matter.

“If my platform can bring even a little hope to families in Palestine, then that is what I want to use it for,” Al-Shaair said in a statement.

Over the years, Al-Shaair has donated to relief efforts, posted on social media about it, and even worn cleats through the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats program to show support to the cause.

In the bigger picture, this punishment hits just hours before the Patriots clash, potentially distracting the locker room as the Texans chase a deep playoff run. Al-Shaair, 2025 season has been solid, with 103 tackles, two QB hits and a forced fumble in 16 starts.

Now, all eyes shift to CJStroud in this high-stakes Divisional Round battle. A win could cement him as Houston’s superstar; a loss might fuel another round of heartbreak for the franchise.

What’s at stake for CJ Stroud in this Divisional round?

The Texans have been on a fiery streak of ten straight wins since Week 10. Yet, a dark cloud hangs over their postseason: a brutal losing curse in the Divisional Round. They have reached this stage six times in the past, and dropped in every one of them. That’s twice under Stroud’s watch.

Houston’s playoff history paints an even tougher picture. They have punched into the postseason 15 times but notched just seven victories, all in Wild Card games. No Divisional Round triumph ever. If Stroud topples the Patriots, it would etch the franchise’s first-ever win at this stage.

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Before this clash, the Texans and Patriots had met twice in the same round, with Houston falling both times. Their last encounter came in the 2016 season at Gillette Stadium, where Tom Brady orchestrated a rout en route to a Super Bowl title.

Stroud bursts with superstar potential, but the young QB battles turnover woes. In his latest outing against the Steelers, he tossed one touchdown but coughed up an interception and five fumbles. A clean game against New England could launch his legacy; another slip-up might stall the Texans’ dreams again.