Texans Distancing From Deshaun Watson?
Deshaun Watson has been removed from the intro video to the team’s online TV show (Twitter link via Rivers McCown of The Athletic). Though it may seem trivial, it’s another indication that the Texans are preparing for a future without the embattled quarterback.
[RELATED: Deshaun Watson Accusers To Be Identified]
At last check, 22 lawsuits have been filed against Watson this offseason. In addition to the civil cases, Watson will also face an investigation from the league office. Criminal charges could also be in play now that authorities have been contacted by some of the accusers. The allegations from massage therapists range from sexual misconduct to assault.
The Texans spent the early part of the year trying to convince Watson to stay, rather than demand a trade out of Houston. Now, things are far more complicated. The Panthers were said to be Watson’s most fervent suitor — last week, they acquired Sam Darnold from the Jets, taking them out of the running. From a football perspective, plenty of teams would want Watson, but the ongoing situation means that he’s probably untradeable.
As the lawsuits and investigations continue to play out, it seems increasingly likely that Watson will wind up on the Commissioner’s Exempt list, which would bar him from taking the field while still collecting his salary.
Watson, 26 in September, led the league with 4,823 passing yards in 2020 — a new career-high. He also set new personal bests with 33 passing touchdowns and a 70.2% completion rate.
Deshaun Watson Accusers To Be Identified
Friday brought more clarity on the Deshaun Watson case. The accusers who have alleged the Texans quarterback committed sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct will be identified.
Going into Friday, two of Watson’s 22 accusers had identified themselves. As of Friday morning, nine of the accusers were willing to reveal their identities. Houston courts ruled Watson’s accusers must identify themselves to proceed with civil cases, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes. By Friday’s end, at least 14 of the accusers will be revealed, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports. The attorney representing the accusers, Tony Buzbee, said after Friday’s hearing all of his clients who have accused Watson are prepared to be identified.
Additionally, Watson attorney Rusty Hardin said Friday sexual encounters did take place between his client and some of the massage therapists accusing him of sexual assault and misconduct, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com. Hardin, however, contends all of those encounters were consensual. He declined to specify how many masseuses with whom Watson engaged in sexual acts.
The 22 accusers’ suits will also be consolidated into one, according to Rapoport (video link). This only applies to the civil suits Watson is facing. The Houston Police Department began an investigation into Watson last week, which will be separate from the civil process. The NFL is investigating Watson as well.
Latest On Texans’ Deshaun Watson
This week, Deshaun Watson‘s lawyer requested that one of his anonymous plaintiffs be identified. On Friday, the attorney representing Watson’s accusers said that nine of his 12 clients are willing to put their names on their lawsuits (Twitter link via Aaron Reiss of The Athletic). 
To date, only two women has been willing to go public with her identity. Now, the majority of Tony Buzbee’s clients are willing to go on the record. That could prove to be a huge barrier for the quarterback’s defense.
In total, 22 women have accused the Texans quarterback of sexual assault or misconduct. Ashley Solis — the first woman to publicly identify herself — recently spoke with Houston police, potentially taking Watson from civil suits to criminal charges. Solis says Watson touched her with his genitals during a massage session — other accusers have made similar claims in recent weeks.
Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, says Solis sought a $100K settlement before she filed suit. Hardin also disclosed emails discussing the settlement, though such pre-litigation communications are fairly standard in civil matters.
Meanwhile, the Texans are closely monitoring the situation, along with the league office.
In a letter to season-ticket holders Monday, the Texans addressed the Watson developments.
“We want to assure you that we take these allegations very seriously,” the McNair family said in a statement. “While we await the conclusion of these investigations, we express our strong stance against any form of sexual assault. Our family and the entire Houston Texans organization are deeply troubled by any form of abuse and we condemn this type of behavior.”
This Date In Transactions History: Rams Trade Brandin Cooks To Texans
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the Rams trading Brandin Cooks to the Texans. The deal netted the Rams a second-round pick in exchange for the wide receiver and a future fourth-round choice. For Cooks, it was familiar territory — this was the third trade of his career. 
[RELATED: Patriots Trade Cooks To Rams]
Cooks, who was still only 26 at the time, was well-traveled at this point. Two years prior, the Patriots sent him to L.A. (along with a fourth-rounder) for a first-round choice and a sixth-rounder. And, in 2017, the Saints traded Cooks to the Patriots for a first- and third-round pick. It’s not unusual for players on the NFL fringe to cycle through teams, but Cooks had the rare distinction of being simultaneously desirable and very much tradable.
In 2018, his first year with the Rams, Cooks managed a career-high 1,204 receiving yards. Things were going well for all parties in L.A. — Cooks helped the Rams reach the Super Bowl and he had a contract to match his performance, a pricey five-year, $81MM extension with $50.5MM locked in. Then, in 2019, Cooks capped his year with just 635 yards. The most troubling part was that he suffered yet another concussion, which sidelined him for two games.
Cooks’ talent has never been in question, but his health history was another story. The Rams were now in a difficult spot, with millions and millions of dollars committed to Cooks through 2023. The deal left them with $21.8MM in dead money and less draft capital than they gave up just a couple years prior. The Texans got Cooks and the rest of his contract — an $8MM base salary in 2020, followed by $12MM, $13MM, and $14MM through 2023.
The Rams went on to turn that pick into Van Jefferson. The wide receiver out of Florida was used sparingly in the regular season, catching 19 balls for 220 yards and one touchdown. All in all, he was targeted just 31 times with 118 special teams appearances. On the plus side, he flashed in the playoffs with six grabs for 46 yards and one TD vs. the Packers. Aaron Rodgers & Co. came out on top, but Jefferson gave a glimpse of what could be in store.
Cooks went on to turn 81 receptions into 1,150 yards and six touchdowns for the Texans. In an otherwise tumultuous year, he was a bright spot. Now, they’ll count on him and Randall Cobb to keep the chains moving with Will Fuller out of the picture. If Cooks stays concussion-free, the trade will go down as a clear win for the Texans, even as their quarterback situation remains murky.
Texans Host DL DeMarcus Walker On Visit
The Texans have signed a slew of midlevel veterans on low-cost deals. They met with another potential candidate for such an agreement Thursday, bringing in defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
A former second-round pick, Walker played a rotational role in four Denver seasons. After the Broncos asked the interior D-lineman to work as an outside linebacker as a rookie, Walker settled into a spot as an off-the-bench lineman in the team’s 3-4 defense. He is coming off a 4.5-sack season.
The Florida State product has recorded 8.5 sacks over the past two years, doing so after compiling just two in scant work in the two seasons before Vic Fangio‘s arrival. Although Walker missed three games last season, his 35% snap rate was by far a career high. The Broncos, however, opted to re-sign Shelby Harris and add ex-Vikings D-lineman Shamar Stephen this offseason.
Houston GM Nick Caserio has been busy — beyond navigating multiple Deshaun Watson issues. The Texans, who released J.J. Watt after 10 seasons, have signed Maliek Collins and Derek Rivers up front this offseason. Walker would profile as another low-cost signing, should he join the brigade of free agents — a list that includes ex-Broncos teammate Phillip Lindsay — to join the Texans.
Texans To Sign DT Jaleel Johnson
Jaleel Johnson‘s visit with the Texans has resulted in a deal. The free agent defensive tackle announced on Twitter that he’s signed with Houston. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle has confirmed the news (via Twitter).
The former fourth-round pick out of Iowa had spent his entire career with the Vikings, appearing in each of the team’s 48 regular season games between 2018 and 2020. Following a 2019 campaign that saw Johnson compile a career-high 3.5 sacks, the 26-year-old finished 2020 with 44 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of the lineman’s performance this past season, however, rating him as one of the worst interior defenders.
Despite his underwhelming performance, Johnson should see some playing time in Houston. Holdovers like Ross Blacklock and additions like Maliek Collins didn’t set the world on fire last season, and as Wilson reported earlier today (via Twitter), the Texans withdrew their tender on defensive tackle P.J. Hall. The former second-rounder started nine games for the Texans last season.
Texans To Sign TE Antony Auclair
The Buccaneers have not lost many free agents this offseason, but they will see one of their depth players depart. The Texans agreed to terms with tight end Antony Auclair on Tuesday night, according to the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson.
Auclair played four seasons with the Bucs, starting 20 games. He started two games for last season’s Super Bowl champion Bucs squad, working as a supporting-caster for a team that featured Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate.
After attending college in Canada, Auclair joined the Bucs as a UDFA in 2017. He topped out at a 30% snap rate for the 2018 Tampa Bay edition. The Bucs mostly utilized the 27-year-old tight end as a blocker. Auclair, whom the Bucs activated at the midseason point last year after he spent several weeks on IR, was inactive for each of the Bucs’ four playoff games.
The 6-foot-6 tight end will join a less flashy tight end stable. The Texans released Darren Fells earlier this year but still have Jordan Akins on their roster. Houston also signed former New England tight end Ryan Izzo and has Pharaoh Brown and ex-third-round pick Kahale Warring on its roster.
Tampa Bay is planning to return O.J. Howard to its historically deep tight end crew next season. Howard suffered a season-ending Achilles tear last October, but Bruce Arians expects the former first-round pick to participate in offseason work and rejoin Brate and the recently re-signed Gronkowski.
Latest On Deshaun Watson
Two of Deshaun Watson‘s accusers revealed their identities Tuesday. Both said Watson sexually assaulted them.
Ashley Solis, the first of the 22 women to accuse the Texans quarterback of sexual assault or misconduct, has provided information to the police, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com notes. Another of Tony Buzbee’s clients has as well. The Houston Police Department began an investigation into Watson on Friday. Solis alleges Watson touched her with his genitals during their massage session, which occurred at Solis’ residence.
Another of the massage therapists to accuse Watson, Lauren Baxley, revealed her identity Tuesday as well through a letter. Baxley accuses Watson of contacting her with his genitals multiple times, according to NFL.com. The NFL has been in contact with Buzbee, according to ESPN.com’s Ed Werder. The league has been investigating the Watson accusers’ claims for weeks.
Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, responded to Solis’ account by indicating her claim of not coming forward for monetary purposes was disingenuous. Buzbee sought a $100K settlement on Solis’ behalf before she filed the civil lawsuit, Hardin’s statement read. Hardin-provided emails involving the settlement proposal between Watson’s camp and Buzbee’s reveal standard pre-litigation communications, however, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.
In a letter to season-ticket holders Monday, the Texans addressed the Watson developments.
“We want to assure you that we take these allegations very seriously,” the McNair family said in a statement. “While we await the conclusion of these investigations, we express our strong stance against any form of sexual assault. Our family and the entire Houston Texans organization are deeply troubled by any form of abuse and we condemn this type of behavior.”
Texans Meet With Lane Taylor, Jaleel Johnson
Despite coming off back-to-back injury-marred seasons, Lane Taylor continues to draw interest as a free agent. The Texans brought the veteran offensive lineman in for a visit Monday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
The Texans also summoned former Vikings defensive line starter Jaleel Johnson for a meeting. Under new GM Nick Caserio, Houston has made several modest investments in starters or depth pieces this offseason. These two would qualify as such, though the Texans may be merely monitoring Taylor’s rehab progress.
Taylor, 31, missed 29 games over the past two seasons. Biceps and knee maladies altered the former Packers guard’s NFL path; he is currently recovering from an ACL tear. However, Taylor’s latest injury occurred in nearly seven months ago. That would give the eight-year vet a reasonable chance to be ready for a training camp. The 49ers, who hosted Taylor in March, and Texans are looking into his status late in the rehab process.
The Packers gave Taylor an extension and used him as a full-time starter from 2016-18. He missed just two games during that stretch. Green Bay penciled in Taylor as a Week 1 starter in 2019 and ’20 as well. However, the two major injuries will limit the former UDFA’s value on this year’s market.
A 2017 fourth-round pick, Johnson started 16 games for the Vikings last season. The defensive tackle also recorded 3.5 sacks as a rotational player during the 2019 slate. The Vikings moved on from Linval Joseph and saw Michael Pierce opt out last year, opening a door for Johnson to start. Pro Football Focus did not view Johnson’s starter season in a positive light, rating him as one of the worst interior defenders in 2020. Johnson and Texans Ross Blacklock and Maliek Collins each ranked in PFF’s bottom five among interior D-linemen last season. Johnson received higher marks as a backup in previous years.
Contract Details: Dunlap, Bills, Texans, Burns
Let’s catch up on some of the latest contract details from around the league:
- Seahawks DE Carlos Dunlap: Two-years, $13.6MM. This had previously been reported as $16.6MM, but it turns out Seattle got Dunlap back for a few million cheaper than that, as Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. It’s actually a five-year pact with three years that automatically void for cap spreading purposes. As previously reported, it has $8.5MM in guaranteed money. Dunlap was set to have a $14.1MM cap charge for 2021 before the Seahawks cut him and then re-signed him to this less expensive deal.
- Bills LB Tyler Matakevich: One-year extension. Buffalo gave their special teams ace a one-year extension through the 2022 season, which lowered his 2021 cap number to $2.95MM from $3.7MM, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic tweets. His base salary for 2021 is now fully guaranteed. He’ll count for $3.25MM against the 2022 cap, but there will only be $750K in dead money if he’s released.
- Texans CB Tavierre Thomas: Two-years, $4MM. We now have details on this contract, as Thomas will be getting $2MM in guaranteed money, Wilson tweets. Not bad for a player who prior to 2020 was mostly a special teams guy. He ended up playing almost 20 percent of the defensive snaps for the Browns last year as they dealt with injuries in their secondary. He got a $1MM signing bonus, a $1MM guaranteed salary for 2021, and a non-guaranteed $1.5MM salary for 2022 with $250K in per game active roster bonuses for each season.
- Bears CB Artie Burns: One-year, $990K. The financial terms on this one were previously not reported, and it turns out the former first-round pick only got the veteran’s minimum from Chicago, Wilson tweets. The 25th pick of the 2016 draft by the Steelers got over $1MM to sign with the Bears last offseason, but then tore his ACL in August before playing a down for the team.