Tag: houston

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NFL News

Is it possible that Deshaun Watson will be a ‘healthy scratch’ for the whole 2021 season?

Dec 20, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Deshaun Watson, the quarterback for the Houston Texans, stated that he would never play for the team again.
He might receive his dream in theory, but not in the way he envisioned.
In January, Watson demanded a trade, expressing a desire to leave the Texans organization.
Houston refused to move him, turning down offers from all over the league and doing everything they could to persuade the Pro Bowl quarterback to stay.
When the first of 22 sexual misconduct allegations against the Texans franchise quarterback surfaced, it marked the beginning of a legal saga that is still ongoing.
Watson’s NFL future is becoming increasingly questionable as he faces 22 legal lawsuits and ten criminal allegations.
The Texans are open to trading him, but only if they get their original asking price.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Watson, it’s unlikely that any team will be willing to pay the Texans’ high asking price.
Watson is stranded in Houston owing to teams’ aversion to the risks, and ESPN’s Sarah Barshop revealed on Outside the Lines that he may not play again in 2021.
“(Rusty) Hardin claims Watson hasn’t even met with NFL investigators for this, which he says is common of his clients because the NFL prefers to wait until the criminal aspect of the investigation is over before conducting the interview.”
Watson’s participation in Texans activities is currently unrestricted by the NFL.
If that doesn’t change before the start of the season, if the league doesn’t place Watson on the Commissioners Exempt list, we might see him spend the year as a healthy scratch on the Texans 53-man roster.”ESPN’s Sarah Barshop on Deshaun Watson’s Future The NFL isn’t going to rush a decision on Watson.
As the league conducts its own inquiry, which has been criticized by his accusers, it will first await the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
The worst moment to explore a trade for Watson is now for teams like the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, and Miami Dolphins.
Houston isn’t willing to decrease its asking price, even if it means keeping Watson and risking his worth plummeting even further.
Thus, unless anything drastic happens, he’ll be stuck on the Texans’ roster.
It’s possible that the NFL intervenes before the start of the season and places Watson on the Commissioner’s Exempt list, which is essentially paid leave.
If that happens, any time he misses may not be counted toward a possible penalty that will be imposed after the investigations are completed.
It would be surprising if Deshaun Watson played for anyone in 2021, given how he has been used in practice and where he is listed on the depth chart by the Texans.

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NFL News

Mike Florio discusses why Deshaun Watson isn’t on paid leave in the NFL.

Fans of the NFL are accustomed to seeing contentious players placed on paid leave pending the outcome of an investigation into their actions.
Many expected this to be the course of action when the Deshaun Watson problem blew up, but the Houston Texans quarterback’s situation did not follow suit.
Despite credible allegations of sexual misconduct against him, Deshaun Watson has yet to be placed on paid leave.
According to @MarkBermanFox26, the Human Trafficking Unit is in charge of issuing subpoenas in the Deshaun Watson case.
On @OddCoupleFSR @Chris_Broussard @RobParkerFS1 @OddCoupleFSR @Chris_Broussard @RobParkerFS1 @OddCoupleFSR @Chris_Broussard @RobParkerFS1 @Odd
If true, there might be accusations of human trafficking or prostitution — Amy Dash (@AmyDashTV) August 13, 2021 According to Mike Florio’s latest report, the reason Watson hasn’t been placed on paid leave yet is due to the unique nature of his situation.
Deshaun Watson wanted a trade from the Houston Texans prior to the sexual misconduct case against him exploding, with accusers going on public with the charges.
Two of the 22 women who have accused Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct have gone public with their stories https://t.co/Z5zGyTna4z pic.twitter.com/mgzjxLi2re — Jezebel (@Jezebel) April 7, 2021
As a result, neither the team nor the player have reached an impasse.
Rather, both say Deshaun Watson should not play in the NFL again for the Houston Texans.
There is a slim chance that Deshaun Watson will play this season due to a lack of disagreement between the parties.
This circumstance also benefits the Houston Texans, as a player who has been placed on paid leave by the NFL is difficult to deal.
In terms of seeking for trade partners, this development is significant for Texas.
Paid leave is a possibility if Deshaun Watson decides to play, according to sources. It’s quite possible that the Houston Texans have had secret talks with the NFL about Deshaun Watson’s case.
The league also wants to avoid any unfavorable public relations consequences.
As time is given to the player’s scandals, any paid leave case receives a lot of media attention.
The last thing the league needs is a distraction now that pre-season is in full flow and the regular season is just around the corner.
Deshaun Watson, despite his suspicions that backchannel negotiations between his team and the NFL are taking place, is not challenging the existing quo.
He’s had his fill of attention and will want to stay out of the limelight.
Given that the current circumstances are favorable to all parties involved, this situation is unlikely to progress unless the matter is resolved.
The only way the situation can change is if Deshaun Watson signs with an NFL team this season while the sexual misconduct claims against him remain unresolved.
If that happens, the NFL will most certainly resort to paid leave as a last resort.
Colin D’Cunha edited the piece.

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NFL News

During the Deshaun Watson investigation, women were enraged by questioning from NFL investigators.

In a piece published Friday by Sports Illustrated, two women expressed their displeasure with some of the tactics used by NFL investigators during their interviews with them over their interaction with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Ashley Solis told SI that NFL investigators asked her what she was wearing while working with Watson, which “honestly pissed me off.” In her lawsuit, Solis detailed incidences of Watson’s sexual misbehavior, including his putting his penis in her palm.
“She said that that’s something she has to ask,” Solis told SI. “I don’t believe it at all.”
Former prosecutors Lisa Friel and Jennifer Gaffney, who now lead the NFL’s personal-conduct policy investigators, were the ones who spoke with Solis, Lauren Baxley, and the other eight women who have filed a lawsuit against Watson.
Watson has disputed the claims through his attorney, Rusty Hardin.
According to Baxley, the NFL investigators’ approach of questioning was “patronizing” and “victim-blaming.”
She described her interview with the Houston Police Department as “extremely respectful and trauma-informed.” Solis and Baxley were both implicated in the case at a news conference in April.
SI stated they agreed to an interview last week, despite Watson’s continued presence on the Texans’ roster.
Watson has donned the team’s uniform, but has yet to participate in any of the team’s sessions.
His participation in the league is said to be “unrestricted.”
He is still subject to the NFL’s personal conduct policy, which permits commissioner Roger Goodell to intervene and potentially penalize players who break the league’s standards even if no official criminal charges have been brought.
Buzbee told SI that Solis and Baxley wanted to speak with the NFL because they wanted to hear “unfiltered testimonies directly from them.” He also stated that after his first three clients were interviewed, he was there for the fourth to “re-set the tone,” and that further interviews have gone better, SI reported.
According to ESPN’s Kimberley A. Smith, the NFL
The NFL said the evaluation of the “serious allegations” against Watson “remains ongoing and active,” adding that “we are working constructively with the Houston Police Department and ensuring that the NFL’s probe does not interfere with their investigation.” Martin said on Friday that “no change to [Watson’s] status as the investigations by the Houston Police Department and the league continue.”

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Plaintiffs in the Deshaun Watson case slam the NFL’s inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct.

Dec 13, 2020; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Deshaun Watson, the quarterback for the Houston Texans, is the subject of an NFL investigation as he faces 22 civil lawsuits alleging various acts of sexual assault, and two of his plaintiffs have gone public with their stories.
Licensed massage therapists Ashley Solis and Lauren Baxley come up about Watson’s alleged misbehavior in detail in Jenny Vrentas’ Sports Illustrated cover story on Friday, and were scathing of how the NFL is handling its investigation.
Baxley’s depiction of her interactions with NFL personal conduct investigators Lisa Friel and Jennifer Gaffney paints a negative picture of the league.
As compared to the Houston Police Department, Baxley believes they fell short in their questioning: “My forensic interview [with HPD] was highly polite and trauma-informed.”
They let me talk without interruption, whereas Lisa Friel and the [other NFL investigator] cut me off, questioned things, and circled around.
[…] Attempting to catch me off guard
They didn’t, but they were seeking for flaws that they could exploit.” As for Solis, she was enraged that one of the things the NFL asked her regarding her massage sessions with Watson was about her clothes.
The inference was that Solis was dressed provocatively, but Vrentas cut to the chase with Solis’ genuine response: “I wear what I always wear when I massage: yoga pants and a T-shirt.” Solis also claimed that the league was “taking a statement” against women and sexual assault survivors by allowing Watson to participate in Texans practices.
“Watson is entitled to a fair trial.”
But, the NFL and Roger Goodell have let me down.
“And by choosing inaction, they have failed the other women,” Solis continued.
Both Solis and Baxley have faced various sorts of trauma and heckling since coming forward publicly.
Solis said her private studio apartment was broken into not long after she first went forward with her charges against Watson at a news conference in April, and Baxley’s therapist diagnosed her with complex PTSD.
Although Watson reported to the Texans training camp to avoid being penalized, it was more to avoid being fined than to actually participate.
Watson requested a trade out of Houston prior to the flood of allegations brought against him, but his career remains in jeopardy until the NFL conducts its investigation.

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As quarterback Deshaun Watson returns to camp, Texans general manager David Culley says he has “no opinion” on his preseason appearances.

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) wipes his hands after stretching during NFL football practice Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)

Deshaun Watson, the embattled Houston Texans quarterback, returned to practice Monday after missing almost a week of team exercises, but fans shouldn’t consider his presence this week as a sign of what’s to come in the coming season.
When reporters inquired if the Texans planned to play Watson in the preseason, first-year coach David Culley had little to say during a press conference on Tuesday.
DESHAUN WATSON’S ACCUSER DISCUSSES MASSAGE REQUESTS IN GRAPHIC DETAIL “No comment,” he replied on the NFL Network.
The inquiry was in response to general manager Nick Caserio’s statements the day before, in which he stated that Watson would most likely not fly to Green Bay to play in the Packers’ first preseason game.
On Tuesday, Culley reaffirmed that sentiment.
“He’s unlikely to play in the game for sure,” Culley said, “so we’ll make a judgment later in the week as to what’s going to happen with that.”
The allegations are being investigated by Houston police and the NFL, but no charges have been filed.
This article was written with the help of the Associated Press.

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NFL News

According to reports, the Texans are still trying to persuade Deshaun Watson to return in 2021.

Dec 20, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Deshaun Watson, the quarterback for the Houston Texans, demanded a trade this offseason, determined to leave an organization he no longer trusted before the start of the 2021 season.
Watson’s future in the NFL and with the Texans is still up in the air as Week 1 approaches.
Watson demanded a trade in January and became the hottest name in the NFL trade market almost immediately.
The Texans, on the other hand, refused to trade him, even when teams offered several first-round picks and young assets.
Houston was confident in its ability to mend a strained relationship and had no intention of relocating its star.
The first of 22 sexual misconduct charges against Watson surfaced months later.
He is currently the subject of 22 civil cases and ten criminal complaints.
While the Texans appear to be more open to a trade if a historic price is met, it appears that the team is still fighting to keep the problematic quarterback.
The Texans aren’t giving up on encouraging Watson to stay, according to Yahoo Sports NFL expert Charles Robinson.
While many believe it is impossible, the NFL star’s front office and coaching staff are attempting to persuade him to return for another season.
As Robinson points out, it’s not even about a long-term commitment to Watson.
Instead, the team is attempting to replicate the success of the Green Bay Packers with Aaron Rodgers.
The reigning NFL MVP has signed a contract extension for 2021 after the team committed to honor his trade request next year.
This appears to make sense for Houston.
According to reports, Watson’s camp is preparing for possible grand jury proceedings, which would be a big step toward more serious criminal charges.
Inquiring NFL teams would be hesitant to sign Watson, fearing that he would not play at all in 2021.
Houston isn’t interested in trading Watson for a bargain, which is the only offer currently being made.
Thus, until a significantly better offer comes in or Watson’s legal concerns are miraculously rectified, the Texans appear set on keeping him.
But, even if he remains on the roster, the matter will not be resolved.
Watson’s demand for a trade was not swayed by the hiring of David Culley as head coach, a choice made with the locker room in mind.
To avoid playing for the Texans, Watson was willing to sit out numerous games, possibly even the entire 2021 season.
He was dissatisfied with the team’s appointment of general manager Nick Caserio, and reports revealed organizational turmoil under CEO Jack Easterby.
Perhaps Watson is willing to put all of his problems aside in order to be compensated this season.
Even if this is true, the NFL might intervene at any time and send him on paid leave.
In the end, it would be a shock if he ever took another snap for the franchise.

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As the investigation into Deshaun Watson continues, the NFL says there are no limits on him.

The NFL announced in a statement to The Athletic on Tuesday that quarterback Deshaun Watson’s involvement in Houston Texans activities is currently “unrestricted,” while the league continues to examine sexual assault and misconduct allegations against him.
“The NFL’s investigation into the severe allegations leveled against Deshaun Watson is still continuing and active,” according to the statement.
The NFL has not been given access to meet with many of the plaintiffs in the 22 civil complaints filed against Watson, or to relevant third parties, according to a league source.
The league also lacks access to evidence acquired by authorities as part of their ongoing criminal investigation.
On Monday, a spokeswoman for Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, confirmed to The Athletic that ten women had made police complaints against Watson.
According to the spokeswoman, eight of the women are among the 22 women who have filed legal complaints against him.
Watson has not been sued civilly by two women who filed complaints with Houston police.
The Houston Police Department stated that an investigation is underway, but would to say how many people had filed complaints.
Watson has refuted all charges through his counsel.
Watson reported to Texans training camp on Sunday, despite a source told The Athletic on Sunday that he has still requested a trade.
Houston will start practicing on Wednesday.
Watson is still being investigated by the NFL for a possible violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.
The league has not indicated when they might talk to Watson, according to a representative for Hardin’s office.
Watson could still be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list if no criminal charges are filed, depending on the outcome of the NFL’s own investigation.

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As the investigation is underway, the NFL says Deshaun Watson is not restricted from training camp with the Houston Texans.

Despite the 22 active civil cases filed against Deshaun Watson, the NFL has “no limits” on the quarterback’s involvement in club activities, according to a statement released Tuesday by the league.
On Wednesday, the Houston Texans will have their first training camp session.
The first of 23 lawsuits against Watson was filed in April.
Watson is currently facing 22 lawsuits alleging sexual assault or sexually inappropriate behavior during massage sessions.
“The NFL’s investigation into the serious allegations against Deshaun Watson is still ongoing,” the league said in a statement.
“We’re collaborating with the Houston Police Department to make sure the NFL’s investigation doesn’t interfere with theirs.”
“We will make appropriate actions in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Personal Conduct Policy as we continue to acquire new information and monitor law enforcement developments.”
“At this point, Watson’s involvement in club activities remains unrestricted.” According to a league source, the NFL has been denied access to speak with several of the plaintiffs who filed the civil complaints, as well as third parties who may have pertinent information.
The NFL has also been denied access to evidence acquired by authorities throughout their inquiry.
Two of the ten women who have filed complaints with Houston police have not filed lawsuits against Watson, according to Rusty Hardin of ESPN.
On the active roster, the Texans have three quarterbacks: Tyrod Taylor, rookie Davis Mills, and Jeff Driskel.

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Deshaun Watson is facing ten police complaints as a result of the sexual misconduct allegations, according to his lawyer.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 27: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Deshaun Watson has made the news again, but this time for all the wrong reasons.
Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said ESPN.com on Monday that ten women have filed charges against the Texans quarterback with Houston Police.
Eight of the ten women, according to Hardin, are among the 22 women who have accused Watson of sexual misconduct.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOXNEWS.COM SPORTS COVERAGE Hardin said two of the women who made police complaints did not file lawsuits against Watson.
According to ESPN, he also stated that he knows the names of the ten women who have filed criminal complaints.
Watson and his legal team have worked with Houston Police and the Harris County District Attorney’s office, according to Hardin.
Hardin told the website, “We’re dealing with both of them, giving them with information.”
“We’re working closely with the cops.”
We’re totally collaborating with the district attorney’s office, and we’ll fully cooperate with the NFL once the criminal investigation is over.” DESHAUN WATSON ASKING PRICE REPORTEDLY SET Watson showed up to Texans training camp and avoided the $50,000 per day punishment, but the star quarterback allegedly still wants to be traded to another team.
When the allegations against Watson first arose in March, he issued a statement in which he categorically denied them.
“I recently became aware of a lawsuit that has presumably been filed against me as a result of a social media post by a publicity-seeking plaintiffs lawyer.”
I haven’t seen the complaint yet, but I can tell you this: I’ve never treated a woman with anything less than the highest regard,” Watson stated at the time.
“The plaintiff’s lawyer says that this isn’t about money, yet before bringing the action, he made an illogical six-figure settlement demand, which I swiftly turned down.”
Unlike him, this isn’t about the money for me; it’s about cleaning my name, and I’m excited to do it.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Watson shared a video of himself working out in May.
Since March, the NFL has been looking into the allegations.
Before the start of the 2021 season, Watson might be placed on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List.
Watson has been adamant about his desire to leave Houston.
Nevertheless, considering he is still facing sexual misconduct claims, it will be intriguing to see if a team is prepared to take a chance and trade for him.
Ryan Gaydos of Fox News contributed to this article.

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Deshaun Watson is reporting to the Texans’ camp and is still looking for a trade, according to a source.

Deshaun Watson, the Houston Texans’ quarterback, will report to training camp on Sunday, but a source told The Athletic that he still wants a trade.
Watson will escape a fine of $50,000 every day if he reports.
As the Texans prepare to begin training in the coming days, he will begin COVID-19 testing.
Watson, 25, is the subject of 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct.
He has refuted all charges through his counsel.
According to a response to an open records request, the NFL is investigating Watson for a possible violation of its personal conduct policy, and the Houston Police Department is investigating at least two criminal complaints against him.
Watson asked the Texans for a trade before the first lawsuits were filed in March.