HOUSTON -- Deshaun Watson was physically present Wednesday for the Texans' first full training camp practice under first-year general manager Nick Caserio and head coach David Culley.
Watson, who is facing more than 22 civil allegations of sexual assault and harassment and has requested a trade from the team, was not the usual commander of the offense he's been since 2017.
Instead, Watson mostly blended in during individual drills, stood off to the side for some team activities, and played scout team defensive back or running back in others.
It was a strange site. Even Texans running back David Johnson admitted as much when he sat down with In The Loop after practice.
Culley said after practice that Watson's presence has not been a distraction, and he only received fewer reps because he did not attend voluntary minicamp earlier in the offseason.
"He's been professional about everything, just like all of the guys who have been here," Culley said. "It's been business as usual."
The coach said once they get Watson up to speed, they can get him more reps.
This was a tough sell for the media members listening.
Watson led the NFL in passing yards last season, is a three-time Pro Bowler, and the best football player the Texans have.
What's happening seems obvious, and curious at the same time.
Watson is at camp to avoid $50,000 daily fines, while he waits for the Texans to trade him at some point. The Texans have decided to require Watson to fulfill his contractual obligations until he is traded.
The most revealing Caserio would be with reporters today is when he called it a "day-to-day endeavor." He's still talking about taking in the information and processing it, while being respectful to everyone involved.
"We'll kind of take it one day at a time and ultimately we're going to do what we feel is best for the Houston Texans," Caserio said. "I know there's been a lot of speculation about what the Texans will do, about a lot of different scenarios.
"Quite frankly, a lot of it is speculation. I'm not going to comment on a bunch of rumors about what we've done, what we're going to do, what the plan is."
Caserio won't tip his hand and refuses to address the rumors head-on. But characterizing it as "day-to-day" makes it clear they're open to trading Watson for the right offer.
It's possible the circumstances won't allow it. Twenty-two open civil suits, and 10 criminal complaints against Watson, who is still allowed to play.
But Watson is on the field, healthy and ready to play for someone. It's just not the Texans.
When Caserio was first hired in January, he re-iterated the team's commitment to Watson and made clear they had no interest in trading to player.
Of course, that was before the legal situation with serious allegations attached. That was before Watson re-iterated his lack of commitment to the Texans.
And now it's a "day-to-day endeavor" with Watson just keeping his head down in the meantime.