Houston Texans News & Rumors

A grand jury will be convened to determine if there is sufficient evidence against Texans QB Deshaun Watson to bring criminal charges against him, per Mark Berman of Fox 26 KRIV (via Twitter). As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk observes, Watson’s camp has expected that this would be the case, so it’s not as though the embattled QB is surprised by the development.

Of the 22 women who have filed civil suits against Watson alleging sexual abuse/misconduct, 10 of them have filed criminal complaints. At this time, the Harris County DA’s Office is sending out subpoenas to compel witnesses to testify before the grand jury.

It would not be surprising if an indictment is handed down. As Florio points outs, the nature of grand jury proceedings — which take place without the defendant present and without the opportunity for the defendant’s attorney to cross-examine witnesses — make an indictment relatively easy for prosecutors to obtain. 

If Watson is, in fact, indicted, it would likely be enough for the NFL to place him on the Commissioner’s Exempt list, which has been rumored for some time but which has not happened yet. Following the publication of an expansive piece by Jenny Vrentas of SI.com (subscription required) that criticizes the league’s investigation into the allegations against Watson, the NFL has said there is still no change to Watson’s playing status (Twitter link via ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin).

Indeed, veteran writer Clarence Hill Jr. reports that the league is not planning to interview Watson until it has spoken to all 22 of his accusers, and as of right now, it has only spoken to 10 (Twitter link). So, even if an indictment forces the NFL to put Watson on paid leave, it seems as if this matter is still a long way from a resolution, both in the courtroom and on the football field.

Texans GM Nick Caserio told SportsRadio 610 that he does not expect Deshaun Watson to travel with the team to Green Bay this weekend (Twitter link). So, at minimum, Watson won’t face the Packers to start the preseason. Beyond that, it’s unclear if the Texans will actually put Watson on the field.

Caserio says that both he and head coach David Culley have had multiple conversations with Watson over the last week, but declined to provide much in the way of additional info (Twitter link). Any other talk concerning Watson, he says, is “speculation.” That includes the latest batch of conflicting info — longtime team insider John McClain hears that Watson has played his final down in Houston. Meanwhile, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports hears that the Texans haven’t ruled out some type of arrangement to keep him this year and trade him in 2022, a la Aaron Rodgers.

The Panthers and “several” other teams are said to be keeping tabs on Watson, even though he could be parked on the commissioner’s exempt list at any moment. Right now, it doesn’t sound like the Texans are entertaining calls on their one-time franchise face or backing down from their surprisingly steep asking price — five high draft picks plus quality veterans.

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson returned to practice on Monday (Twitter link via Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com). Still, it’s not clear whether Watson has a future in Houston.

[RELATED: Texans Pause Deshaun Watson Trade Talks?]

Watson will never play another down for the Texans, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Meanwhile, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link) hears that the Texans haven’t ruled out keeping him. The front office may seek an “Aaron Rodgers type of solution,” according to Robinson. Of course, Watson’s situation is far different from Rodgers’ contract dispute.

The Texans’ position on trading Watson is still unclear. Over the weekend we heard that the Texans are not returning calls on the embattled QB. At the same time, they’ve yet to back down from their sky high asking price of five high draft picks plus quality players. Meanwhile, Watson is still facing 22 civil suits, potential discipline from the league office, and an ongoing legal investigation.

Despite it all, the Panthers continue to monitor Watson and “several” other teams have contacted the Texans about the four-year starter. If Watson is traded/suspended/parked on the exempt list, the Texans will move forward with Tyrod Taylor and third-round pick Davis Mills as their top QBs.

Trapped in a historically unusual position, the Texans have been receiving calls on their embattled and disgruntled quarterback. And, after coming off its no-trade stance last month, the team may be backtracking on the Deshaun Watson front for the time being.

The Texans are not returning teams’ calls on Watson, according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer (video link). This news comes barely a week after Houston opened the door to a Watson trade. Unreturned calls could well be the product of Watson’s legal situation, which has diminished the three-time Pro Bowler’s value. Teams are almost certainly not willing to meet Houston’s lofty asking price — five high draft picks and quality players — while the 25-year-old passer is embroiled in his present legal situation.

The team has not softened its asking price on Watson, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, despite an ongoing legal investigation into numerous allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct. The Houston PD’s investigation, the 22 civil suits and the NFL’s inaction here has complicated the QB’s status. As of now, Watson is not practicing with the Texans. He is believed to be dealing with calf and ankle tightness, according to Sports Talk 790’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter).

Furthermore, the Texans may not be ready to close the book on Watson suiting up for them again. The team believes Watson will end up wanting to play in Houston again this season, Glazer adds, though the veteran reporter does not seem to believe the fifth-year QB will back down. Watson’s desire to be traded surfaced in January, and after he and the team discussed this stance in July, it appeared the sides were on the same page regarding a separation. The Texans signed Tyrod Taylor and drafted Davis Mills in the third round. Like just about everything Watson-related, this may be murky as well.

It would be quite strange if Watson suited up for the Texans again, and the notion of the QB playing in 2021 while multiple investigations ensue would make for an awkward start to the season. A team that would even come close to meeting the Texans’ asking price would want clarity on Watson’s status, which would likely require the NFL to intervene. Watson landing on the commissioner’s exempt list would pause trade talks but inject some stability into this situation. While that may well need to occur, the league is merely monitoring this situation as of now.

The Panthers are monitoring the Watson saga, too, and Glazer adds that “several teams” have contacted the Texans regarding their four-year starter. Under normal circumstances, the Texans could collect a monster trade haul that would allow Nick Caserio and Co. to begin a rebuild in earnest. It just seems highly unlikely any team would meet Houston’s asking price at this juncture, creating a standstill.