Grand jury reaches decision on Deshaun Watson, criminal charges
WATSON WATCH
11 March 2022
Deshaun Watson will not face criminal charges. Composite image by Jack Brame.
According to multiple reports, Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson has been cleared of criminal charges in Harris County.
The 22 lawsuits are still pending. But that a grand jury returned no criminal charges is a very significant development, and presumably a big step towards Texans trading him and Watson returning to the NFL.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 11, 2022
Interested teams are now more likely to come forward. https://t.co/k6yXWPaXEg
Watson still has 22 civil lawsuits pending, but with criminal charges behind him, the trade market for Deshaun Watson should heat up quickly. ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio reported last week that several teams would be interested in Watson, even with the civil cases pending.
The Panthers, Eagles, and Commanders have been rumored to have interest in trading for Watson. The Commanders traded for Colts QB Carson Wentz this week, so they're clearly out at this point. It would almost be impossible to fit both QBs under the salary cap. But the Panthers appear determined to acquire the Texans' Pro Bowl QB. Of course, Watson's no-trade clause could still complicate trade scenarios for the Texans.
Statement from NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy on grand jury returning nine 'no bills' on criminal complaints filed against Deshaun Watson: 'We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review of the personal conduct policy.'
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 11, 2022
This is no doubt a big win for Deshaun Watson, but he could still be punished by the league under the personal conduct policy.
Hunter Brown pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning, and the Houston Astros beat the slumping Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on Friday night.
Brown (6-1) struck out nine, matching his season high for the fourth straight start. The right-hander also issued a season-high four walks in his fifth consecutive win.
Brown departed after Gavin Lux walked with two out in the sixth. Kaleb Ort got Spencer Steer to bounce into a forceout at second.
Josh Hader handled the ninth for his ninth save.
Cincinnati finished with four hits in its sixth loss in seven games.
Reds right-hander Nick Martinez (1-4) surrendered 10 hits and three runs in six innings. He struck out five and walked none.
Zach Dezenzo hit a two-out RBI single in the second, and the Astros added two more runs in the fifth.
Mauricio Dubón followed Brendan Rodgers’ leadoff double with a chopper past third baseman Santiago Espinal, moving Rodgers to third. Jeremy Peña drove in Rodgers with a groundout to second, and Isaac Paredes doubled home Dubón with two down.
Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Diaz each had two hits for the Astros.
Cincinnati's Austin Hays returned from the injured list after missing 10 games with a left hamstring strain. He went 1 for 4.
Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was scratched due to left calf tenderness after missing the last two games.
Key moment
Tyler Stephenson hit a one-out double for Cincinnati in the ninth. But Hader struck out Rece Hinds and Espinal, ending the game.
Key stat
It was Houston's first win against the Reds since June 19, 2016, ending a nine-game skid.
Up next
Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of the season and first home start since October 3, 2022, against Reds right-hander Brady Singer (4-2 3.66 ERA) on Saturday night.
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