WATSON WATCH
Texans may finally get some clarity on Deshaun Watson investigation this Friday
Mar 8, 2022, 4:29 pm
Friday could be a huge day for the Texans. Composite image by Jack Brame.
Mike Florio reacts to Deshaun Watson's lawyer aggressively firing back at Tony Buzbee
The NFL Network's Tom Pelissero is reporting that the district attorney investigating Deshaun Watson will present her case to the grand jury on Friday. Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, had previously been pointing to April 1 as a date in which we would know if Watson would be charged criminally. But it looks like Watson and the Houston Texans will get an answer sooner than anticipated. So soon in fact that Hardin told The New York Times that he hopes a decision will be made that day.
The district attorney investigating Deshaun Watson plans to present her case to a grand jury on Friday – the same day as Watson's civil deposition.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2022
Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, told me a request to delay the deposition until Monday was denied, so Watson will plead the fifth.
If the grand jury decides not to move forward with criminal charges against Watson, the process of trading him will get substantially easier. Of course that's a big if, but either way, the Texans and Watson should get more clarity about his future over the next few days. As far as Watson pleading the fifth is his civil deposition, that won't impact whether the grand jury decides to move forward with criminal charges.
Trade package:
Seattle gets QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant, DL Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a fifth-round pick.
Denver gets Russell Wilson and a fourth-round pick.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2022
And the timing could actually benefit the Texans, with Aaron Rodgers deciding to stay in Green Bay, and the Seahawks getting a huge haul for QB Russell Wilson on Tuesday. Watson is the last elite QB on the market. The Panthers, Commanders, and Eagles are all rumored to have interest.
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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.
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Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.