The Deshaun Watson saga has turned into a roller coaster ride for the Houston Texans. Since the 2020 NFL offseason came to an end, plenty of things have happened in Space City, from Watson’s trade request in January to the 21 civil lawsuits with allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior that were recently filed against him. It was also revealed that the veteran quarterback only showed up in the training camp to avoid paying $ 50,000 for each day that he missed.
Deshaun Watson Is Not Playing In Texans’ Preseason Opener Against Packers
When he attended their practices on Monday and Tuesday after reports circulated that the team is now open to keep him in the 2021 NFL season, some people thought that it was a positive sign for the relationship between Watson and the Texans. However, despite his recent appearance on the field, Texans head coach David Culley said on Sports Radio 610 revealed that Watson is "unlikely to play" when they face the Green Bay Packers in the 2021 NFL preseason opener.
Deshaun Watson’s Preseason Availability Remains A Big Question Mark
According to Sarah Barshop of ESPN, Culley made the decision not to let Watson play in the preseason opener "based on the limited reps he’s had in practice." Culley also hinted at the possibility that Watson may not also be with the team in their upcoming preseason games against the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccanneers.
"Like I said before, it’s day-to-day with him," Culley said, as quoted by CBS Sports. "And you know he’d been out for a while. He’s back today and he’s taking it day-to-day as he’s been since the start of training camp. He’s unlikely to play in the game. We’ll make a decision later on in the week on what’s going to happen with that."
Texans GM Sees Improvement In Team’s QB Group
Though Watson’s situation in Houston is still in limbo, it seems like the Texans’ starting quarterback position is in good hands. Watson may not be currently available to play, but the Texans still have three quarterbacks on their roster, including Tyrod Taylor, Jeff Driskel, and Davis Mills, whom they selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Taylor, Driskel, and Mills may not be as good as Watson right now, but Texans general manager Nick Caserio said that their QB group as a whole "has made progress."
Deshaun Watson’s Departure From Texans Inevitable
Though recent report suggests that the Texans are open to keep Watson in the 2021 NFL season, most people believe that his departure from Houston is inevitable. The Texans aren’t keeping Watson because they still considered him part of their long-term future, but because, as of now, no team seems to be willing to pay their asking price for the veteran quarterback which is a combination of multiple future first-round picks and starting-caliber players.
Aside from waiting for the outcome of the lawsuits filed against him, teams interested in Watson must be wanting to see the Texans lower their asking price for their disgruntled player.
