#Dolphins seal Deshaun Watson’s fate ahead of NFL trade deadline

The Dolphins have decided not to trade for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, according to ESPN.

Miami owner Stephen Ross reportedly made the final decision to stick with sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

The news came just hours shy of the 4 pm NFL trade deadline.

Watson is facing 22 civil lawsuits of sexual misconduct, along with 10 police complaints from women alleging sexual assault. The Pro Bowl quarterback denied the allegations after they were made public in March. 

Last week, the Houston Chronicle reported that Ross had approved a trade for Watson – on the condition that his legal issues would be settled before finalizing a deal.

Ross was also curious about whether or not commissioner Roger Goodell planned to suspend Watson under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

On Tuesday, Goodell said at an NFL owners meeting in New York that the league  doesn’t have enough information to place Watson on the exempt list, which is equivalent to that of paid administrative leave. 

Watson has not played in a game this season, and continues to be paid by the Texans. It seems unlikely that the Texans can work out a trade before the deadline, and it remains to be seen if he will play a game for Houston this season.

Watson requested a trade in January — less than six months after he signed a four-year, $156 million extension that keeps him in Houston through the 2025 season.