After not playing last season and still facing 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault, it says a lot about the NFL’s attitude toward QBs that the Browns are giving Deshaun Watson a brand new contract before the extension he signed in September 2020 has even started.
Deshaun Watson's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said his law firm has "strong evidence" showing that one of the lawsuits alleging sexual assault against the Texans quarterback is false and that it "calls into question the legitimacy of the other cases."
J.J. Watt was asked what is so great about Spotted Cow.
“It’s delicious. It’s nutritious. It cures a lot of things. ... When you come home ... there’s something there that you like. For me it’s cheese curds, it’s Culver’s custard, it’s Spotted Cow, a Friday fish fry.”
🚨 Since today is a newsworthy day in the NFL, I figure it's a good time to share some
#personalnews
🚨
After six seasons covering the Texans, I’m on the move with ESPN.
Starting in June, I’ll be based in Los Angeles covering the Rams.
The first time Deshaun Watson was throwing to NFL receivers, it wasn’t DeAndre Hopkins or Will Fuller.
When the quarterback was 13, he was a ball boy for the Atlanta Falcons, throwing wide receiver drills to Roddy White and Julio Jones.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Rams’ 98-yard TD drive was the longest go-ahead TD drive that began in the final 2 minutes over the last 45 seasons.
Another lawsuit has been filed against Deshaun Watson. There are now 23 active civil lawsuits filed against the QB. According to the petition, the plaintiff “changed her mind about filing a lawsuit after watching the HBO Real Sports piece” that aired last Tuesday.
The Texans head to Green Bay on Sunday and J.J. Watt is excited: “For me to be able to go up there and for them to let us ride the bikes. Literally live a dream that I had as a kid. ... I don't have a ton of emotional moments in my career, that's going to be an emotional one."
Sean McVay joked that Odell Beckham had an "organic free agent visit" with all of the coaches at his wedding on Saturday.
" I said, you stay away from all of those other coaches. ... He knows the expectation is, you come to the wedding, you’ve got to sign with the Rams.”
In a statement on Deshaun Watson, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said the league has "been closely monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review of the personal conduct policy."
Today a grand jury will hear evidence in the criminal case involving Deshaun Watson. A look at what that means for him and what could be next for him and the Texans:
My view for the Texans’ game is a little different today and for the rest of the season. And who knows, if there’s a Super Bowl run, I am eligible to return from the IR.
Sean McVay said he doesn’t have an update on Cooper Kupp’s ankle injury.
McVay said he hasn’t talked to the medical staff, but said, “It didn’t look good. It didn’t sound good.”
Sean McVay also said RBs Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson are "good to go." Both practiced today after missing time during camp with soft tissue injuries.
According to a source, Beats by Dre has ended its relationship with Deshaun Watson. Earlier today, Nike said in a statement that they have suspended their endorsement deal with the Texans’ quarterback.
When asked if the crowd noise at SoFi Stadium affected him tonight, Matthew Stafford said it did not.
"No. I mean, we prepared for it. We prepared to be on the silent count at home again. But it wasn't something that we haven't done before.”
J.J. Watt on Andrew Luck's retirement: “He’s an incredible competitor. I’ve loved playing against him. I think it takes an immense amount of courage, an immense amount of self-reflection and a lot of guts to do what he’s doing. I’m sure people have...
In a statement, the NFL says the league is still reviewing "the serious allegations against Deshaun Watson."
"At this time, there are no restrictions on Watson’s participation in club activities."
It was a homecoming last night for Texans OL coach James Campen. Aaron Rodgers posted this on IG, calling Campen a “mentor, confidant, father figure, supporter and friend.”
Sean McVay said RBs Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson are both dealing with “soft tissue” injuries. McVay said neither will practice until they can be “full speed” in the team drills, but didn’t set a timeline for when either may be back at practice.
The latest lawsuit filed against Deshaun Watson mentions the comments that his lawyer, Rusty Hardin, made in a radio interview about "happy endings" last week.
Deshaun Watson said even though the Texans have been eliminated from the playoffs, he has "too much pride and respect" to not play in the remaining three games, even with any concerns about his protection.
"I'm not looking to book a vacation," Watson said.
In a statement, attorney Tony Buzbee said his law firm will be adding the "Houston Texans organization and others as defendants in the ongoing lawsuits against Deshaun Watson."
Sean McVay was asked about RB Cam Akers' involvement in the game and said, "we really just didn't get in much of a rhythm tonight." He also mentioned he wanted to get WR Allen Robinson more involved in the offense.
Some non-personnel Rams-related news:
I (child birth) have been ruled OUT for offseason activities and training camp. The expectation is I’ll be ready for Week 1 in Seattle.
Sean McVay said he thought Puka Nacua “was dead” on the sideline. “And then he comes back to life."
Nacua was asked if felt like that was the case.
“A little bit,” Nacua said. “I wasn't breathing and my shoulder didn't feel like it was in the right place. But I was good though.”
It’s crazy that the Astros, who had their manager and GM fired in a cheating scandal a year ago tomorrow, are the least controversial of Houston’s big three teams right now.
James Harden says Rockets are "just not good enough ... I love this city. I literally have done everything that I can. I mean, this situation is crazy. It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed."
Despite Tony Buzbee posting on IG that his law firm hasn’t approached Rusty Hardin “ever” about settling the lawsuits filed against Deshaun Watson, a member of Buzbee’s team did approach Watson’s legal team recently to discuss the case.
Romeo Crennel reiterated that the Texans weren’t going to trade players away for “peanuts,” but said if they had been offered a “deluxe nuts package,” (😂) the team would have considered it.
Sean McVay on RB Cam Akers: "There were some instances where there were some positive things and some things that he can do better, but we want to see just an increased level of urgency and accountability snap in and snap out from him.”
Rams general manager Les Snead said the Rams didn’t do any private workouts with Jared Verse because they didn’t want to broadcast their interest in him.
“He was one of those guys we tried to somewhat keep under the radar,” Snead said. “… We try to go stealth with it.”
Rookie WR Puka Nacua (oblique) will be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the 49ers, but Sean McVay said the Rams are expecting him to be ready to go.
Sean McVay called Jordan Whittington a “mature rookie” after the sixth-round pick had six catches for 74 yards.
"He played like a grown man with the ball in his hands [and] did a great job without it," McVay said. "I just really like him. He's going to be a factor for us."
Rams OC Mike LaFleur said Cooper Kupp “looks healthy.” He said when Kupp was “gearing up for that first game” before he went on IR, “you could tell he almost could tell that something was still a little bit off. And from my vantage point, it looks like he feels really good.”
The first thing Deshaun Watson heard from his mom when he called to tell her his new contract extension was done?
"She was like, ‘Congratulations, but hey, you’ve got a game to win Thursday and you have a championship to go get.”
Former Texans DE P.J. Hall was arrested earlier this week on charges of assault and interference with public duties. According to court documents, Hall caused “bodily injury … by pushing the Complainant with his hand.” Hall is out on bond.
Yesterday on Twitter, DeAndre Hopkins invited young athletes to join him in a workout at Herman Park. So far, there are about 50 kids stretching and running with him on this warm June morning.
Puka Nacua has 101 catches and 1,445 receiving yards this season. He needs four catches in Week 18 to break the rookie receptions record and 29 receiving yards to break the rookie receiving yards record. (
@ESPNStatsInfo
)
When talking about his return to Seattle, Bobby Wagner referred to playing the Seahawks as “playing the organization that you felt gave up on you.” Wagner said there will be “a lot of emotions” but that it will be “fun to go back there.”
J.J. Watt will return to practice today, which opens his 21-day window to be added to the active roster.
This is happening eight weeks after he had surgery on a torn pectoral muscle. The typical recovery time for that injury is three to four months.
Sean McVay said Xavier Smith will be the Rams' punt returner going forward. He had a 38-yard punt return to set up the Rams' game-winning field goal on Sunday.
Sean McVay said he's expecting QB Matthew Stafford to play Sunday against the Seahawks. McVay said Stafford was able to throw the ball during individual drills during practice today.
Bill O'Brien told
@AdamSchefter
that the Texans "feel really good about where Will [Fuller] is right now" coming off a torn ACL. O'Brien said he didn't want to put a date on the WR's return, but he thinks there's a chance that Fuller could be ready by training camp.
Ravens’ HC John Harbaugh and Texans’ HC Bill O'Brien discuss the turnover on their respective rosters this offseason, the development of their bright young quarterbacks and more.
Listen: 👇