GM Nick Caserio: Deshaun Watson playing for Texans again 'more than likely' not happening

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio wasn't able to offer much of a meaningful update on star quarterback Deshaun Watson last week when he said there was no "more clarity today than there was here previously" regarding the status of the signal-caller. Watson sat out the entire 2021 NFL regular season following his offseason trade request and amid the 22 lawsuits and 10 criminal complaints alleging acts of sexual assault and misconduct.

Caserio appeared on local station Sports Radio 610 on Tuesday and seemed to confirm what most have assumed for months.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Caserio was asked if Watson could potentially play under former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores with the Texans if Houston hires Flores. Caserio responded: "That more than likely would not be the case." 

Flores was linked with the Texans shortly after Miami fired him and, later, after Houston parted ways with David Culley. 

"I think we have to be open-minded and just take the information and process it and ultimately make the decision that we feel makes the most sense for everybody involved, whatever that looks like," Caserio added about Watson. 

As Florio notes, Watson's contract includes a no-trade clause, and it remains unclear if any team will risk giving assets to Houston for the 26-year-old before his legal issues are resolved one way or another. Even if Watson is never formally charged with a crime, he could be made ineligible to play for at least part of the 2022 campaign via a suspension or a stint on the commissioner's exempt list.