Kris Abrams Draine Avoids League Discipline as Houston Texans Fume Over CJ Stroud Hit

Kris Abrams-Draine avoided punishment from the NFL after his controversial hit on CJ Stroud. The second-year Denver Broncos cornerback found himself in the middle of a firestorm during Week 9 when he laid a big hit on the Houston Texans quarterback.

Stroud suffered a concussion on the play, but the injury resulted from hitting his head on the turf. Abrams-Draine also avoided drawing a flag because he hit Stroud in the chest with his shoulder rather than targeting the head or neck area.

DeMeco Ryans was adamant that officials should have called a penalty. The Texans head coach addressed the play with reporters on November 2.

“C.J. scrambled. Of course, he tried to – he slid, and the guy you know came up and hit him. As I see, it’s unnecessary roughness,” Ryans said. “He hit the quarterback when he’s sliding and giving himself up. If I’m incorrect on the rule, I’ve seen that happen multiple times, and with our guys, and we get the penalty. But for some reason, it just didn’t happen there.”

Ryans toned down his rhetoric the following day. His initial comments drew criticism because previous remarks about one of his players painted a similar situation in a vastly different light.

The Texans coach previously defended linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after a hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Ryans said the “rule is there to protect the quarterbacks” in the league and that they need to “be safe” and slide appropriately, while making “sure we’re keeping our heads down.”

Abrams-Draine avoids punishment while starting for the injured Pat Surtain II. The Broncos already played their Week 10 game and are resting before beginning preparations to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11.

Al-Shaair Draws Fine for Dobbins Hit

Al-Shaair drew a fine in the same game against Denver. He tackled J.K. Dobbins in the fourth quarter of the Broncos’ eventual 18-15 win. The play occurred on a pass that lost 2 yards. Al-Shaair did not draw a flag for the play, nor did Dobbins protest.

According to the NFL’s Football Operations portal on November 8, Al-Shaair received a $17,389 fine for “unnecessary roughness” for a “hit on a defenseless player.”

The Texans drew another penalty from the same game. Wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson was fined $5,949 for “unsportsmanlike conduct” after “taunting” following a deep reception in the third quarter.

For Dobbins and the Broncos, this represents merely the first of what they hope is justice served. Another potential fine-worthy play occurred in Week 10 against Las Vegas on Thursday Night Football.

Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson tackled Dobbins using what the Broncos star has repeatedly asserted was the illegal “hip-drop” method. Dobbins suffered a foot injury on the play and is seeking a second opinion on the severity.

The running back has become a common denominator in multiple noteworthy items following Denver’s recent games. His status looms large for the Broncos as they prepare for their crucial divisional matchup against the Chiefs.