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Deshaun Watson’s Texans fate could be sealed with 2021 season in doubt

Deshaun Watson’s time with the Texans might be over one way or another.

Deshaun Watson’s time with the Texans might be over one way or another.

With needs all over the field, the Texans took a quarterback with their first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, selecting Stanford’s Davis Mills at No. 67 overall.

What does that indicate?

“They could say it’s the best player on their board, or whatever they want,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported. “But the fact of the matter is there are people in league circles who believe Deshaun Watson will not play this season. There are people who believe his career in Houston is over. The Texans know they face a tremendous amount of quarterback uncertainty, which is why they used their third-round pick on Davis Mills.”

Feeling misled and disrespected by ownership and the front office, Watson, 25, demanded a trade when the offseason began. The Texans didn’t budge. They were locked in a stalemate that was supposed to be resolved during the NFL Draft.

But then, Watson was accused of sexual misconduct by 22 women in a joint civil suit that is making its way through the Texas court system. The women mostly are massage therapists who allege Watson wielded his power and influence to commit sexual harassment or assault.

Stanford quarterback Davis Mills was drafted by the Texans in the third round, possibly to replace Deshaun Watson.
Getty Images

Watson has denied all accusations, and his lawyer Rusty Hardin has requested a trial by jury. Hardin claims he is still trying to identify some of the Jane Does, while lawyer Tony Buzbee, who represents the women, has maintained their right to privacy.

“We’re obviously following that and looking at that ourselves,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told ESPN of the investigation into Watson. “There are important steps that we will be taking as part of our personal conduct policy. When we get to that point we will certainly make a decision.”

Watson could be disciplined under the league’s personal conduct policy regardless of the legal outcome.

If the Texans have to proceed without Watson, their quarterbacks are Mills (14 career games in college), Ryan Finley (four career NFL starts) and journeyman Tyrod Taylor (47 career NFL starts).  

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

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