HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- Deshaun Watson is expected to play in the Texans' final game of the season next week, despite the team being out of postseason contention and the franchise quarterback hurting his arm in Sunday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Watson was hit late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game when Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard beat Texans rookie tackle Charlie Heck on the edge. Watson's hand appeared to get caught in Hubbard's facemask as he tried to follow through his throwing motion.
Watson said after the game he was fine. On Monday, Romeo Crennel said he would speak with the team's medical staff before making a decision on whether Watson plays in the season finale against Tennessee.
"I think they will have an impact on his condition. If he’s OK, then I think that we should play him," Crennel said when asked if Watson would definitely play Sunday.
“Every time you go out on the football field there’s a chance to get hurt. Every player that goes out there, there’s a chance they get hurt. I know that Deshaun is a really good player, but there’s a lot of good players and if you held out all good players then you wouldn’t have good football. One of the things that Deshaun brings to this team is he brings a high level of football. In my mind, for me, he brings a high level of hope for us to be able to win a game. I would like to have that on my side.”
The Texans have recently lost their top safety Justin Reid (hand), and starting right tackle Tytus Howard (concussion) to season-ending injuries. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil injured his foot against the Bengals, but the injury is not believed to be severe.