Texans' Deshaun Watson 'ready to get back on the field' after avoiding criminal charges
It's assumed Houston Texans star quarterback Deshaun Watson will return to NFL action at some point during the 2022 season after it was learned Friday that a grand jury decided not to indict the 26-year-old following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct that had hovered over his status since last year.
Watson didn't play for the Texans this past campaign coming off his offseason trade request but made it clear Friday afternoon he's eager to resume his career.
"It’s definitely a very emotional moment for me," Watson said of the day's developments while speaking with media members, per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "I know we’re far from being done of handling what we need to handle on the legal side, but today is definitely a big day. I thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for letting the truth be heard. I think everyone knows a part of this is seeing and hearing both sides, and that’s what my point and my team want to do is have a fair slate of us telling our side of the story and letting a conclusion come down to what happened today. That’s what the grand jury decided on. Thank you, and I just thank my Lord and savior.
"I’m going to keep fighting to rebuild my name and rebuild my appearance in the community. We’re going to continue, on the legal side, I’ll fulfill, handle what we need to handle, but also ready to get back on the field. Been prepping for that and ready to go for that. I thank my family, all my close supporters this past year. I thank my team that’s been behind me, supporting me and keeping me up this past year. Yeah, I’m going to continue to just keep pushing forward and building my name back to where it was if not better."
Watson also addressed the news via Twitter:
Watson could still lose civil cases brought against him and could face a significant suspension handed down by the NFL that would make him unavailable for an unknown portion of next season.
"We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter," an NFL spokesperson said in a statement shared by Sarah Barshop of ESPN.
The Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers are among clubs said to have been interested in acquiring Watson earlier this week before Friday's update. It's unknown if teams will first seek clarity from the league on Watson's status for the entire 2022 season before pulling the trigger on what is likely to be a blockbuster trade considering Houston reportedly wants three first-round draft picks and additional assets for the three-time Pro Bowl selection.
Watson's contract contains a no-trade clause, meaning he'd have to sign off on any transaction.
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