Deshaun Watson is reporting to Houston Texans training camp, but he still wants to be traded.
The embattled Texans QB was reporting to the team on Sunday with the rest of Houston’s quarterbacks, per NFL Network, but he hasn’t changed his stance that he wants out.
Showing up helps Watson dodge $50,000 in daily fines for every day skipped.
Watson, 25, remains under league and police investigation since he faces 22 separate lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct during massage sessions.
Whether Watson is traded or remains in Houston, it’s possible the lawsuits could cost him part or all of the 2021 season, which would be his fifth in the NFL.
His legal trouble has dramatically reduced his leverage in his push to be traded, which he began earlier this year prior to the lawsuits being filed in March and April.
The NFL hasn’t placed Watson on the Commissioner’s Exempt List for now because it has not concluded that a major violation occurred, per NFL Network. That is an unusual explanation considering the severity and serial nature of the allegations against Watson and the evidence in the form of direct messages sent from Watson to some of the women suing him.
The league clearly is delaying to see how the legal process plays out, though, until and unless it has to make a unilateral decision prior to the regular season.
The Texans initially were telling teams that they were dead set against trading Watson, but it is now believed Houston would make a deal if the conditions and price were right.
The Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers would be among the leading contenders to trade for Watson if a deal does occur, be it this year or in 2022.
