Latest On Potential Deshaun Watson Trade
We heard last week that the Dolphins and Texans had agreed on compensation for a Deshaun Watson trade. Days later, and the move still hasn’t been made. Miami reportedly wanted a bit more clarity on the passer’s legal situation before green-lighting a trade. However, there may be another explanation for why negotiations have stalled.
Per Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, the Texans have “caught wind of the growing possibility that the 22 civil lawsuits” against Watson would be settled. Since there would be no legal uncertainty, the Texans front office raised their asking price. According to Florio, “the increased demands caused the talks to crater.”
The Texans have continually been seeking at least three first-round picks for Watson, and last week’s report indicated that Miami was willing to meet that part of the deal. However, the two sides were still negotiating the other pieces in the trade; Houston reportedly is also seeking multiple second-round selections. It’s uncertain if Watson’s legal clarity forced the Texans to double down on their asking price…or perhaps request even more.
The NFL has not interviewed Watson, and his deposition in the civil suit is not slated to occur until after Super Bowl LVI. This has created a gray area, one that sets up the unusual and optically problematic prospect of Watson playing for another team this season before facing a lengthy suspension in 2022. Watson is not expected to be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, and Roger Goodell confirmed Tuesday night the NFL does not have enough information on these cases to place Watson on the list, via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
We’ll have a resolution on a trade (or non-trade) by tomorrow afternoon. It sounds like both owners are in favor of a deal; Texans owner Cal McNair wants to put the matter behind him, while Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has been one of the organization’s main proponents for a Watson trade. Meanwhile, Texans GM Nick Casersio is unwilling to trade Watson for anything less than what he perceives to be maximum value, and that could end up being the factor that prevents a trade from taking place by the deadline.
Texans Unlikely To Trade WR Brandin Cooks
Houston wide receiver Brandin Cooks is no stranger to trade rumors, having been dealt three times in his career. The 1-6 Texans are obvious trade deadline sellers, and Cooks — a high-end talent who is only under club control through the 2022 season — has naturally drawn interest from other clubs.
Those clubs may have been buoyed in their pursuit by the fact that Cooks took to Twitter to voice his displeasure when Houston traded good friend Mark Ingram earlier this week. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says the Texans are unlikely to trade Cooks. Rookie GM Nick Caserio reportedly sees Cooks as a foundational talent that he can build around, and it sounds as if he would demand a hefty return if he were to trade his WR1.
Cooks’ $12.5MM base salary for 2022 is reasonable for a player of his caliber, which explains both why Caserio wants to keep him around and why he is piquing the interest of contending teams hoping to acquire him. Despite catching passes from struggling rookie Davis Mills for most of the year, Cooks has tallied 45 receptions for 502 yards and a score.
Of course, most of the trade chatter surrounding the Texans has been focused upon QB Deshaun Watson, but we learned earlier today that Watson is not expected to be dealt prior to Tuesday’s deadline. However, LB Zach Cunningham is on the trading block, and other veterans like QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Phillip Lindsay, LB Christian Kirksey, and CB Desmond King could also be on the move.
Speaking of King, the former First-Team All-Pro was scratched from today’s game against the Rams for disciplinary reasons, as Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk 790 tweets. King reportedly had an unexcused absence from a team activity, and like Cooks, he may be unhappy with the current state of the Texans. Unlike Cooks, he might get a chance to suit up for a contender this year.
Texans Unlikely To Trade Deshaun Watson Before Deadline?
Despite reports that the Dolphins and Texans have agreed to compensation in a prospective Deshaun Watson trade, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com says that, as of this morning, there is not much hope of a deal being completed prior to Tuesday’s deadline. Josina Anderson of CBS Sports HQ had reported earlier in the week that Houston was not feeling any pressure to swing a trade by the deadline and was content to wait until the offseason (video link).
Although Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wants to see his team land Watson, he is said to want more clarity on the passer’s legal situation before green-lighting a trade. And, as Watson’s legal situation is rife with uncertainty at this point, Ross might not be comfortable in authorizing a deal that likely includes three first-round draft picks.
Schefter’s report also casts doubt on whether Miami and Houston are actually in agreement on the trade package. The ESPN scribe suggests that, in addition to all of the legal concerns, there are still lingering “compensation issues” that would need to be hammered out before a trade can be finalized. Indeed, GM Nick Casersio is unwilling to trade Watson for anything less than what he perceives to be maximum value. On the other hand, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports that the Dolphins and Texans were close to a deal a few days ago, and that a trade was not consummated only because the ‘Fins want Watson to settle his legal matters first (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald on Twitter).
Of course, Watson theoretically could settle the civil suits that 22 women have filed against him, but he can’t control whether criminal charges are filed. Glazer’s report, though, lends credence to the notion that a deal will not be consummated within the next two days.
Meanwhile, Texans owner Cal McNair wants to put the matter behind him and would like to see Watson traded by Tuesday. But Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says McNair has given Caserio full authority to handle the situation however he sees fit, and if that means retaining Watson through the deadline, then so be it.
We also have an interesting nugget to pass along with respect to the Panthers’ involvement in this process. Schefter confirms that Watson did not waive his no-trade clause for Carolina — or for any team other than Miami — which is at least one reason why the the Panthers are not pursuing Watson in advance of the deadline (though other reporters have said an offseason deal could still happen if Watson remains with the Texans). However, there was speculation that a deal that would send Watson to Carolina would see star RB Christian McCaffrey heading back to Houston as part of the return.
Joe Person of The Athletic says McCaffrey was never part of the trade talks (Twitter link), and Schefter adds that Panthers GM Scott Fitterer and head coach Matt Rhule actually called McCaffrey on Friday night to tell him as much.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/30/21
Here is the Week 8 Saturday minor move blitz:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: LB Daren Bates, LB James Vaughters
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted: TE Kahale Warring
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: DE Darryl Johnson
- Promoted: P Lachlan Edwards, WR Keith Kirkwood
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: T Larry Borom
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: DE Khalid Kareem, RB Trayveon Williams
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: CB Tim Harris, S Jovante Moffatt
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: LB Jonas Griffith
- Promoted: LB Barrington Wade
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: DE Da’Shawn Hand
- Promoted: S Jalen Elliott, TE Brock Wright
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: C Justin Britt
- Promoted: LB Hardy Nickerson, G Lane Taylor, OL Cole Toner
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: TE Kendall Blanton
- Promoted: DB Antoine Brooks, DB Tyler Hall
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: LB Vince Biegel, RB Patrick Laird, CB Jamal Perry
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: TE Luke Stocker, DE Kenny Willekes
New England Patriots
- Promoted: DT Daniel Ekuale
New Orleans Saints
- Activated after six-game suspension: DT David Onyemata
- Placed on IR: G Andrus Peat (story)
- Promoted: T Jordan Mills, WR Kevin White
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: LB Jarrad Davis
- Promoted: LB Noah Dawkins, QB Josh Johnson, DE Jabari Zuniga
- Released: S Jarrod Wilson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: RB Jordan Howard, TE Richard Rodgers
- Activated from IR: S K’Von Wallace
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: DE Taco Charlton
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: LB Tanner Muse
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: WR Cyril Grayson
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted: DL Eli Ankou, FB Tory Carter, RB Dontrell Hilliard
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: C Keith Ismael, T David Steinmetz
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/30/21
Here are Saturday’s practice squad moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Suspended two games (PEDs): DT Frank Herron
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: T Alex Taylor
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DT Eric Banks
- Released: CB Shakur Brown
Houston Texans
- Signed: P Johnny Townsend
Saints Acquired Mark Ingram For 7th-Round Pick
The Saints only gave up a 2024 seventh-round draft pick in their trade for Mark Ingram (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). The Texans — in the midst of a major reboot — effectively moved the running back in a salary dump. 
Ingram has also inked a brand new deal with his old pals (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com). Ingram is now signed through 2022 thanks to a one-year extension that could pay up to $2.8M next year. He’ll also take a haircut for this year — his salary has gone from $1.5MM to $1.075MM while his per-game bonuses have been wiped out. Ultimately, he’ll carry a cap charge of just ~$657K for the Saints this year. Next season, he’ll collect $1.5MM in salary, plus a $300K roster bonus, $500K total in per-game perks, and another $500K in potential incentives.
The 2011 first-rounder spent the first eight seasons of his career in New Orleans, tallying 55 total touchdowns. In those last two Saints years, he formed one of the league’s best RB duos with Alvin Kamara. He’ll look to recapture that magic again as the Saints try and lessen Kamara’s workload. So far this year, Kamara is averaging 19 rushing attempts per game, up from the 11.2 totes per contest he averaged previously.
Ingram is expected to make his New Orleans re-debut on Halloween when the Saints host the Buccaneers.
Dolphins HC: Tua Tagovailoa To Remain Starter
Barring injury, head coach Brian Flores says that Tua Tagovailoa will remain the team’s starting quarterback (Twitter link via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). However, Flores also declined to come out and say that the Dolphins will not be trading for Texans QB Deshaun Watson.
[RELATED: Texans, Dolphins Agree On Deshaun Watson Compensation?]
Things seem to be heating up between the Dolphins and Texans, with the two sides reportedly agreeing on the trade essentials. Watson has also told the Texans that he would approve a trade to the Dolphins. Flores has shied away from Watson talk in the past, but owner Stephen Ross seems ready to overrule any objectors. Flores is also on the hot seat, so his pro-Tua position doesn’t necessarily mean much.
“I don’t not feel wanted,” said Tagovailoa this week when asked about the constant speculation (via ESPN.com). “I really don’t think about it. The only time I’m really hearing about it, like I’ve said before, is if [the communications staff] is kind of telling me what’s going on within the rumors or if my agent calls me. That’s really when I hear it. Other than that, I don’t really hear it.”
We should be hearing plenty about Tagovailoa, Watson, and all the moving parts between now and Tuesday’s deadline. If both QBs remain in place come Wednesday, Tagovailoa can expect the chatter to resume in the offseason.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/29/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Jaylen Samuels
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DB Josh Jackson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: K Tristan Vizcaino
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/29/21
Today’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: CB Herb Miller
Houston Texans
- Promoted: CB Cre’Von LeBlanc
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: OL K.C. McDermott
- Placed on IR: Jay Tufele
Texans Work Out Two Running Backs
After trading off one running back yesterday, the Texans are eyeing some free agents at the position. According to Aaron Wilson (via Twitter), Houston auditioned Jaylen Samuels and Darius Jackson.
[RELATED: Texans Trading RB Mark Ingram To Saints]
Samuels was a fifth-round pick by the Steelers back in 2018, and he saw time in 42 games through three seasons with the organization. However, after collecting 935 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns through his first two years in the NFL, he was limited to only 74 yards on 18 touches in 2020. The 25-year-old was cut by the Steelers at the end of the preseason and later landed on their practice squad, but he was released yesterday.
Jackson has bounced around the league since being selected in the sixth round of the 2016 draft. He’s had three stints with the Cowboys, two stints with the Colts, and cameos with the Browns, Packers, Buccaneers, Raiders, and Texans. The 27-year-old spent the 2021 preseason with Las Vegas and Houston. In total, he’s seen time in four games, getting six touches for 16 yards.
The Texans traded veteran Mark Ingram to the Saints yesterday, although the team still has plenty of depth at the position. At the moment, the team is rostering David Johnson, Rex Burkhead, Phillip Lindsay, and Scottie Phillips.