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Here's why the Texans could be hiding their quarterbacks from the media

Rich Eisen, Texans Deshaun Watson, Davis Mills
This is getting ridiculous. Composite image by Jack Brame.

As we all are fully aware of by now, Deshaun Watson is embroiled in some litigation revolving around sexual misconduct, and possibly sexual assault, allegations in some twenty-two civil lawsuits filed against him. If the timeline holds true, his accusers will be deposed in September, but Watson himself won't be deposed until February 2022. This means Watson may not be available for the media for public comment until after he's deposed in 2022.

Could Watson's situation be the reasoning behind the media blackout of Tyrod Taylor and Davis Mills? Given that Watson's situation with the team is in flux (sexual misconduct/assault allegations and civil suits), you'd think the media would've heard from the two most prominent quarterbacks the team has brought in by now, right? Wrong! The Texans have kept Taylor and Mills away from the media strategically. Given the situation with Watson and how head coach David Culley and general manager Nick Caserio have handled it so far, it's really no surprise why they haven't allowed their other quarterbacks to speak with the media.

Culley and Caserio haven't exactly been pillars of confidence when it comes to media relations in their tenure so far. Neither has projected enough confidence or truthfulness so far in my opinion. Both have had gaffes that have turned into soundbites. They have often sounded like two guys that are in their first year on their respective jobs despite being in and around the league for decades. So why have they chosen to hide Taylor and Mills from the media thus far?

One thought could be that they're trying to avoid either guy saying anything alluding to either of them being the presumptive starter. Given the fact that the team more than likely knows more about Watson's case than what they're alluding to, that info could have been passed along inside the building. If that info has trickled down in some way, shape, or form to Taylor and/or Mills, they may be liable to spill some beans the team doesn't want spilled before they're ready to have said info out there.

For example: what if the team knows the true severity of the situation and likelihood of it getting resolved any time soon. Do you think they want it known that they'll be without Watson for the upcoming season? Also, any knowledge they have that may shed a more negative light on the situation and potentially hurt Watson's trade value would only do more harm than what's already been done. In light of the fact that Watson asked for a trade just before the allegations dropped, the Texans would want to keep any negative info tight to the vest.

So when could we expect to hear from the other quarterbacks on the roster? My best guess would be during training camp. Typically, players are made available to the media after training camp practices. If Watson's situation has or hasn't been resolved by then, it'll be hard to hide Taylor and Mills, especially if either is taking most of the first team reps at practice. The media will be able to see as much and will hopefully ask questions. My only trepidation about this is how soft most of the media is that covers sports in this town. They're so used to sucking up to teams and players in order to keep their access and get autographed jerseys, that they tend to leave out the tough questions. This will all play out eventually. Hopefully we'll get a more detailed answer sooner rather than later.

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The Texans will look to get back on track this Sunday against the Colts. Composite Getty Image.

C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are looking for answers after their passing game couldn’t get going in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Houston’s passing attack had been a strength all season, and the Texans ranked fifth in yards passing per game through their first six games. But on Sunday at Lambeau Field, Stroud was limited to a career-low 86 yards in the 24-22 loss, which snapped a three-game winning streak.

Stroud was 10 of 21 and didn’t have a touchdown pass for the first time this season. The second-year player was under duress for much of the day and was sacked four times and hit seven other times.

“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what those issues were,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we watch the film, we’ll see what happened, starting for me the communication and just guys being on the details of the job.”

The Texans scored a season-high 41 points in a win over New England a week earlier in which Stroud threw a season-best three touchdown passes despite being without star receiver Nico Collins.

They were unable to replicate that success Sunday with Collins out for the second of at least four games after a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve.

Stefon Diggs led the team with five receptions against the Packers, but they only amounted to 23 yards. Tank Dell, who the Texans expected to step up with Collins out, was targeted four times but didn’t have a catch.

Stroud discussed the importance of getting Dell more involved in the offense.

“We have to find a way to try and get him the rock early and often and then go from there,” he said. “It has to be a focus for us, not only just him, but the whole offense clicking early. That is really my job to get the ball out on time and to where it is supposed to go. So yeah, that definitely has to be fixed.”

Ryans spoke about his confidence is getting Dell going.

What's working

The Texans have forced seven turnovers combined in their last two games after they hadn’t caused any in their previous three games.

Houston scored 16 points off three turnovers Sunday. The Texans had two interceptions and recovered a fumble on a punt. In their win over the Patriots, they scored 17 points off a season-high four turnovers.

What needs help

The Texans won’t get to where they want to be this season if Stroud doesn’t get back on track. Before Sunday, last year’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was averaging more than 262 yards passing a game, giving the team confidence that the problems in the passing game are fixable.

Ryans knows the line must give Stroud more time to throw and said the coaching staff will focus on improving in that area this week.

Stock up

RB Joe Mixon continued to shine Sunday in his second game back after missing three games with an ankle injury. Mixon, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati, had 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay.

Mixon is confident the Texans will rebound this week if they quit making mistakes.

“Does it look I’m worried? I’m not worried at all,” he said. “Like I said, we got a ... good football team. At the end of the day, we are our own worst enemy.”

Stock down

Dell was unable to help Stroud get the passing game going. The second-year player had a solid rookie season with 709 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in 11 games before breaking his leg. But he hasn’t been able to build on that success this year and has just 194 yards receiving with one score in six games.

Injuries

LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion), CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) and S Jimmie Ward (groin) all missed Sunday’s game and it’s unclear if any of these starters can return this week.

Key number

3 — Safety Calen Bullock had his third interception Sunday to tie Dunta Robinson and Jumal Rolle for most interceptions by a rookie in franchise history through the first seven games. He leads NFL rookies in interceptions this season and is tied for third-most among all players.

Next steps

The AFC South-leading Texans (5-2) return to division play Sunday when they host the second-place Colts (4-3), who have won two in a row and four of five.

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