Why isn’t Texans QB Deshaun Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list?

Mark Lane
·2 min read
4
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

One of the bigger mysteries in the Deshaun Watson saga is why the Houston Texans quarterback is not on the commissioner’s exempt list.

Watson is currently named as a defendant in a lawsuit wherein 22 women have alleged sexual assault, has had criminal complaints filed against him with the Houston Police Department, has been involved in an FBI probe, and also has the NFL investigating the entire ordeal.

Although the criminal justice system is still centered around the concept of “innocent until proven guilty,” the court of public opinion has already levied a verdict: where there is smoke, there is fire. Given the volume of allegations and activity surrounding the Watson case, sports fans are perplexed as to why he has not been placed on the commissioner’s exempt list.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network provided a perspective on Sunday as to why the NFL has not acted in that regard and may not anytime soon.

“According to personal conduct policy, in the latest version, a player can be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list if he is charged with a felony or a violent crime,” Rapoport said. “As of right now, that does not apply to Deshaun Watson. I have not heard that he is going to be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, even if someone trades for him, even if his legal situation is unsettled. Barring some sort of unexpected development, I would expect him to be eligible to play.”

Watson was the subject of trade rumors this week as the Texans still seek to move the three-time Pro Bowler, as his trade request from late January is still active. Watson has been a healthy scratch on all six of the Texans’ game day inactives lists, and he has not taken part in regular season practices at all.

Nevertheless, Rapoport says Watson is still ready to play once dealt.

“He is also, for whatever it is worth, in shape, been doing nothing but working out and throwing the football,” said Rapoport. “So, if a team does trade for him, he should be ready to go once he gets acclimated to the offense.”