The future of Deshaun Watson with the Houston Texans is still in limbo. After a week off from practice, Watson showed up in pads and participated Tuesday -- creating more questions if Houston would actually consider playing him in its preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers Saturday.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio basically shot down any opportunity of Watson seeing the field.
"I don't expect him to play," Caserio told Sports Radio 610 in Houston Tuesday.
Texans head coach David Culley was asked about the preseason opener and was noncommittal with his quarterback. Culley still won't define Watson's status for the preseason opener.
"Like I said before, it's day-to-day with him," Culley said to Texans reporters Wednesday. "And you know he'd been out for a while. He's back today and he's taking it day-to-day as he's been since the start of training camp.
"He's unlikely to play in the game. We'll make a decision later on in the week on what's going to happen with that."
Watson missed five consecutive practices before returning to the field Monday. Culley wouldn't give a reason what changed Watson's mind or why he was out to begin with. If Watson doesn't play in the preseason opener, Culley attributed the reason to the limited reps -- and also wouldn't comment if Watson play at all in the preseason.
Basically, Watson's immediate future is uncertain. The NFL is still investigating the quarterback, who is facing 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct in massage sessions. Those cases are ongoing, which has made it difficult for the league and the Texans to take any action regarding a possible suspension or trade. Watson has not been placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List because there has not yet been a conclusion by the league about whether a violation occurred.
Prior to the allegations, Watson met with the Texans and reiterated he wants to be traded and and doesn't plan on playing for the franchise again. The Texans were expected to get a huge haul for Watson, but the price to acquire the Texans quarterback is unknown while the investigation is ongoing.
The Watson situation doesn't appear to have a resolution any time soon. As Culley said, the Texans are taking it "day-to-day" with their franchise quarterback.
