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Multiple Deshaun Watson accusers to appear before grand jury on Friday

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Multiple accusers in Deshaun Watson case to appear before grand jury on Friday

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 3/8/22

It was reported last week that would-be buyers "haven’t shown any urgency to pursue a trade" for Houston Texans star quarterback Deshaun Watson as he continues to face 22 lawsuits alleging acts of sexual assault and misconduct and 10 criminal complaints.

There may soon be more clarity regarding his criminal situation.

Per Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today, attorney Tony Buzbee, representing the alleged victims, confirmed Tuesday that at least eight women have been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury on Friday. Buzbee added they will "gladly" appear as requested.

As Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio wrote, Watson is scheduled to sit for depositions in two of the civil cases for plaintiffs who haven't filed criminal complaints on Friday. Rusty Hardin, Watson’s lawyer, told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero the 26-year-old won't testify because the grand jury has not yet completed its investigation:

The district attorney investigating Deshaun Watson plans to present her case to a grand jury on Friday – the same day as Watson's civil deposition.

Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, told me a request to delay the deposition until Monday was denied, so Watson will plead the fifth.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2022

Hardin told me he’s doing what any attorney would and “I’m not going to allow him to testify (in the civil cases) until the grand jury completes its investigation.”
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2022

Watson requested a trade from the #Texans in January 2021 -- before accusations of sexual misconduct by more than 20 women first surfaced -- and did not play last season. He has denied wrongdoing.

Other NFL teams continue to monitor the situation closely.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2022

Hardin said last month a grand jury should be finished making a decision about the criminal investigation by or on April 1. It is, however, unknown whether teams would offer anything of note for the signal-caller if he's not indicted before next month's draft that gets underway on April 28.

Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier told reporters last week that "the door is shut" on his team trading for Watson. The Cleveland Browns are reportedly committed to keeping Baker Mayfield their starting quarterback through the offseason. Aaron Rodgers tweeted Tuesday he's returning to the Green Bay Packers even if the public doesn't yet know the details of his new contract, and the Denver Broncos are reportedly on the verge of acquiring Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks. Kyler Murray seems to again be on speaking terms with the Arizona Cardinals following an awkward February, but that situation could change if he doesn't receive a desired contract extension this spring.

Schrotenboer pointed out that the NFL could suspend Watson for some part of the 2022 season even if he's not indicted.

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