WATSON'S BOLD MOVE
Here's how Deshaun Watson is taking another step as the leader of the Texans
Oct 22, 2020, 12:15 pm
Watson addressed trade rumors on Wednesday. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images.
In the midst of preparing for their Week 7 match against the 4-1 Green Bay Packers, the Houston Texans are dealing with trade speculations with the NFL trade deadline less than two weeks away.
According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Texans could be heading towards a rebuild sooner than anyone could have expected, despite sitting at a 1-5 record on the season. Canfora reported that Houston could depart from several of their key players. In particular, Whitney Mercilus, Brandin Cooks, Will Fuller, and Randall Cobb — to name a few. During his media availability Wednesday afternoon, the one guy who is safe from all trade rumors, Deshaun Watson, tried his best to silence all the hoopla via Zoom.
"Them boys ain't getting traded," Watson said. "Nobody's going anywhere. We're going to stick with this team and keep pushing forward. We just basically squashed it and letting everyone know to focus on ball, and focus on this team."
Watson said everybody on the team participated in a post-practice meeting to squash any rumors of a trade that might have a player's mind running rampant. Randall Cobb — who has been in a few trade speculations — says he does not know what to believe but plans to stay in Houston for the "long haul."
J.J. Watt has been at the forefront of all trade rumors. The future Hall of Famer is in the twilight of his career, and the idea of playing his final years through a Texans rebuild is mind-boggling to many. And with his favorite team from his childhood making their way to NRG Stadium this Sunday, many believe that the Packers could make an attempt to acquire the All-Pro defensive end.
"My goal since I got here was to bring a championship to the city of Houston," Watt said. "That remains my goal until the day I'm not a Houston Texan anymore. That will always be my goal. That's what I'm working towards. That's what I'm working towards today and that's what I'll work towards tomorrow."
As of now, it is uncertain what moves the Texans will make ahead of the November 3 trade deadline. But if the Texans enter the bye week with a 1-6 record, it may be best for interim general manager Jack Easterby to get a jumpstart on rebuilding the Texans' roster.
Coty M. Davis is a reporter for ESPN 97.5 Houston/SportsMap covering the Houston Texans. He is also the co-host of Locked On Texans, a part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Follow Coty on Twitter @CotyDavis_24.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.