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.
Ronel Blanco struck out a career-high 11 in eight innings and Shawn Dubin completed the two-hitter to lead the Houston Astros to a 6-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.
Yainer Diaz hit a three-run homer in the third to give Houston an early lead and Christian Walker added two hits and three RBIs to help the Astros take the series 2-1.
It was the second-longest start of Blanco's career and longest since he tossed a no-hitter in his season debut last year in a 10-0 win over the Blue Jays on April 1.
Blanco (3-3) retired the first nine batters, with six strikeouts, before walking TJ Friedl to start the fourth. He sat down the next four batters before Spencer Steer got Cincinnati’s first hit on a double to the corner of left field with one out in the fifth.
But Blanco quickly got back on track and retired the next nine batters before Jose Trevino doubled with one out in the eighth. Will Benson grounded out before Blanco struck out Santiago Espinal to end his day and head to the dugout to a standing ovation.
It was a much-needed performance for a team that used six relievers in a 13-9 loss Saturday night after starter Lance McCullers Jr. allowed seven runs and was pulled after getting just one out.
The soaring home run by Diaz off rookie Chase Petty (0-2) came with one out in the third inning to make it 3-0 and extend his hitting streak to nine games.
The Astros led by four when they loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth. Walker singled on a line drive to center field to score two and make it 6-0.
Petty allowed six hits and four runs with six walks in three-plus innings in his second major league start.
The Astros were without Jose Altuve a day after he left in the third inning with tightness in his right hamstring.
Manager Joe Espada said Altuve was feeling better Sunday and he expects him to return to the lineup in a couple of days.
Key moment
Blanco struck out the side in the first inning to set the tone for a dominate outing.
Key stat
Blanco had struck out nine batters three times before his career-high strikeout performance Sunday.
Up next
The Reds are off Monday and RHP Ryan Gusto (3-1, 2.93 ERA) will start for Houston in the opener of a three-game series against Kansas City on Monday night.
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