Texans general manager Nick Caserio is sticking to the script on estranged quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Caserio kept a roster spot open for Watson, who has requested a traded and does not intend to play for the Texans.
Watson is also under investigation for a litany of sexual misconduct allegations, which the NFL has yet to act on, stating there's no change in his availability to play.
With his current roster status, Watson is expected to collect his $10.5 million salary, even if he doesn't actually take the field.
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Caserio would not say whether he envisioned a scenario in which Watson play for the Texans, instead calling his future with the team "a day-to-day endeavor."
"Each day, we take information," Caserio said. "We process it and then we go about our business and try to make the right decision and the best decision at the time. So that's what we did. He's on the roster, he's on our team.
"What does that mean moving forward? Again, it's a one-day-at-a-time proposition and endeavor and that's how we're going to handle it. ...
"I think any conversations we've had with the players, we'll keep that between ourselves," Caserio said. "I've had multiple conversations with Deshaun since training camp. His attitude has been good. He hasn't been a problem. He hasn't been a disruption. So again, we're going to kind of take it one day at a time."
Absent Watson, the Texans have Tyrod Taylor as their presumed starting quarterback, with rookie Davis Mills as a backup and veteran Jeff Driskel signed to the practice squad.
Taylor earlier in the week said he was not told explicitly that he is the Texans' Week 1 starter, despite running all of the first-team reps and starting the three preseason games.
“I’ve said from day one that Deshaun is a part of this team and we’ll continue to handle business accordingly," Taylor said Tuesday. "Like I said, he’s a friend of mine and he’s a teammate of mine and we’re all in it to put our best foot forward and to do whatever it takes to help the team win. That shows and that comes in different roles on this team and we’ll all do our part to make sure that everyone’s on board. ...
"My mindset doesn’t change and it hasn’t changed since I’ve been drafted. Ever since I’ve started playing football, it’s to prepare as a starter, lead like a starter and let the coaches make the decisions that they make."
The question still remains whether coaches/management would try to play Watson, what his response would be, and what the team would do if he refused.
Or, could he play?
"I'm not gonna comment about what's gonna happen, who's gonna play, who's gonna do what," Caserio repeated. "So I would say he's on the roster today and we're going to take it one day at a time."
Brandon Scott manages digital content for SportsRadio 610. Follow him on Twitter @brandonkscott.
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