Why Texans' Deshaun Watson gained't play on Thursday evening vs. Panthers regardless of Tyrod Taylor's harm

The Texans suffered a blow in Week 2 after they misplaced beginning quarterback Tyrod Taylor to a hamstring harm. Taylor loved first half towards the Browns, racking up 125 passing yards on 10 of 11 passing with two complete TDs (one passing, one dashing) earlier than getting damage.

“One thing occurred on the landing,” Texans coach David Culley mentioned of Taylor’s harm, per ESPN. “It wasn’t to the purpose the place he felt he could not go. … The way in which he’s, he by no means mentioned something to anyone.”

Taylor was initially thought-about day-to-day because of the hamstring harm, however he was positioned on IR. Meaning he’ll miss not less than three video games due to the issue. Mushy-tissue accidents are likely to linger, so it is smart for Taylor to be sidelined for “Thursday Night time Soccer” and past.

Naturally, a query bubbled up in wake of this harm. Will Deshaun Watson be lively for the Texans? Might he begin?

Culley initially had mentioned “we’ll must see” when requested about that risk after Sunday’s loss to the Browns. However forward of Thursday evening’s sport, Culley shortly shot that notion down, and as a substitute confirmed that Watson would stay inactive in Week 3.

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Why Deshaun Watson will not play vs. Panthers

Watson is on the Texans’ lively roster, however he has been rendered inactive for every of the staff’s first two video games as he faces 22 civil lawsuits and 10 legal complaints of sexual misconduct and sexual assault.

The NFL has but to rule on Watson’s standing. The league tends to not make rulings till legal investigations are over and Watson’s case continues to be ongoing. That has compelled the Texans to make their very own resolution about their franchise quarterback. Their most well-liked possibility has been to stash him on the 53-man roster however to not play him till his standing is settled.

It is also value noting that Watson demanded a commerce away from the Texans after the hiring of common supervisor Nick Caserio earlier this offseason. Houston has remained steadfast that they may solely settle for a sure value in alternate for his providers, however the staff is having hassle discovering commerce companions due to Watson’s authorized points.

So, the rift between Watson and the Texans is multi-faceted. As such, it is within the membership’s finest curiosity to sit down him till every part will get straightened out.

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Texans QB depth chart

The Texans will likely be shorthanded at quarterback on Thursday with each Taylor and Watson unavailable. They’re going to be counting on a rookie to hold the load towards a 2-0 Carolina squad.

1. Davis Mills

Mills was the 67th general choose within the 2021 NFL Draft. He attended Stanford, showing in 14 video games for the Cardinal. He posted a 65.5 % completion price for 3,468 yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions throughout his school profession.

Mills has prototypical dimension for the quarterback place — standing 6-4 at 217 kilos — and he has a high quality arm. He is a bit uncooked and was inconsistent towards the Browns, finishing 8 of 18 passes for 102 yards, one TD and one interception.

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2. Jeff Driskel

Driskel is on his fifth completely different NFL staff since getting into the league in 2016. He was a sixth-round draft choose by the 49ers, however he by no means performed for them. He was claimed off waivers from the Bengals who finally relied on him as their backup quarterback.

Driskel spent 2018 with the Bengals, 2019 with the Lions and 2020 with the Broncos. He appeared in 15 video games (9 begins) and has posted stable numbers, together with 2,120 passing yards, 13 touchdowns in comparison with eight interceptions and an extra 309 yards and three TDs on the bottom. Nonetheless, he sports activities only a 1-8 file and hasn’t gained a sport since 2018.

How lengthy is Tyrod Taylor out?

Taylor is anticipated to be sidelined for about 4 weeks. That may put him on monitor to return for the Texans’ Week 7 sport towards the Cardinals. He will likely be out a minimal of three weeks after his placement on IR, so the earliest he can return could be Week 6 towards the Colts.

Under is the remainder of the Texans’ schedule for 2021.