Report: Texans prepared to keep Watson past trade deadline

The Houston Texans are prepared to keep Deshaun Watson past Tuesday's deadline and resume trade discussions centered around the quarterback after the season, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Many in the Texans organization reportedly want to trade Watson before the Nov. 2 trade deadline - including team owner Cal McNair - but general manager Nick Caserio will have the final say.

Despite Watson's off-field issues, Caserio has been adamant about not moving the 26-year-old for anything less than what he believes the quarterback is worth. Houston apparently asked for a six-piece package of players and draft picks in exchange for Watson before the regular season.

Watson, who's been a healthy scratch for the first seven weeks of the season amid police and NFL investigations, is facing lawsuits from 22 women who say he sexually assaulted them or committed sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Ten women filed criminal complaints against Watson.

The Miami Dolphins reportedly have been the front-runners for Watson but prefer his legal issues get resolved before making a deal.

The Carolina Panthers were also expected to be involved in trade discussions for the quarterback, but Watson reportedly didn't waive the no-trade clause in his contract for the team.

The Panthers were willing to include star running back Christian McCaffrey in a potential trade for Watson, league sources told Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. However, Carolina head coach Matt Rhule and general manager Scott Fitterer told McCaffrey they never considered moving him, according to Schefter.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters earlier this week that the league is lacking the necessary information to put Watson on the commissioner's exempt list.

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