NFL has NOT suspended Texans' Deshaun Watson ahead of training camp as he faces sexual misconduct lawsuits from 22 women - but 'the team is now willing to trade the QB'

For Deshaun Watson, no news is good news as the NFL has opted against suspending the Houston Texans quarterback before training camp while he continues to face sexual misconduct lawsuits from 22 different women.

The NFL has been investigating Watson, 25, since March, when the first of 23 women came forward with allegations ranging from harassment and indecent exposure to sexual assault (one plaintiff has since dropped her lawsuit). 

The plaintiffs, most of who work as massage therapists or in other similar professions, filed separate lawsuits as Jane Does in March and April, but have since revealed their identities following a court order.

Through his attorney, Watson has called the allegations 'false' and is insisting that all sexual contact between himself and the accusers was consensual. No criminal charges have been filed in the case.

The NFL had the option of placing Watson on the commissioner's exempt list, effectively suspending him with pay as league investigation continues. An NFL spokesman did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. 

Watson, who led the league in yards passing in 2020 after signing a four-year, $156 million contract extension last summer, was seeking a trade before the allegations surfaced, and that may be on the horizon.

Despite the fact that he reported to training camp — something that helped Watson avoid $50,000 in fines for every day he missed — the former Clemson star has told the team he still hopes to be traded, and now the Texans are willing to listen to offers, according to reports from Pro Football Talk and ESPN.  

The allegations notwithstanding, the Texans are seeking a major return, according to ESPN: Five high draft picks and/or high-level players.  

Embattled Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has reported to training camp without being suspended by the NFL as he continues to face sexual misconduct lawsuits from 22 women

Texans spokespeople did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Watson did not attend any voluntary off-season team activities.

The club has not commented on him publicly since April, when new Texans general manager Nick Caserio said he would 'respect the legal process.'

Attorney Rusty Hardin made Watson's case in a response filed in April to the 22 lawsuits pending against Watson in Harris County, Texas.

'We and Mr. Watson take allegations of sexual misconduct against women very seriously, as we all should,' Hardin said in a statement. 'In the few days since his accusers' names have been revealed, as was required by Texas law, we are discovering an avalanche of false accusations.'

The court filing summarizes Watson's side of the story and states that after massage therapy sessions with Watson, eight plaintiffs 'bragged about, praised, and were excited about massaging Mr. Watson.'

Another seven, the filing contends, 'willingly worked or offered to work with Mr. Watson after their alleged incidents,' three more 'lied about the number of times they actually worked with Watson,' three 'lied about their alleged trauma and resulting harm,' and five more 'told others they wanted to get money' from Watson.

'It was not until the plaintiffs saw an opportunity for a money grab that they changed their stories to convert therapy sessions they bragged about to friends and family to something much more nefarious,' the response alleges.

The club has not commented on Watson  publicly since April, when new Texans general manager Nick Caserio (left, right) said he would 'respect the legal process.'

Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the 22 plaintiffs, responded with a statement in April.

'As fully anticipated and despite his lawyer's previous statements, Deshaun Watson's only defense is to call these brave women liars,' read Buzbee's statement.

'The weak and vague allegations made in Defendant's response are demonstrably false,' he continued. 'Watson can't deny he sought out an unusually high number of women for massages on Instagram; he doesn't deny he insisted on being nude or nearly nude; he can't deny the massage sessions occurred; he can't deny he wanted more than a ''massage''; and he hasn't credibly denied that something bad happened during the session—he instead claims that any sexual acts were consensual.

Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the 22 plaintiffs, claimed some of his clients have received threats as a result of the lawsuits

'Of course his definition of ''consent'' doesn't comport with that of everyone else. I have faith that the court process will sort out the truth as these matters progress.'

Prior to receiving a court order instructing the plaintiffs to reveal their identity, Buzbee had been reluctant to reveal his clients' names, citing threats the first accuser, Ashley Solis, faced when she went public.

'We were concerned about the safety of these plaintiffs, and asked the Watson team to agree to a protective order where the identities could be used in litigation, but not broadcast to the world,' the statement continued.

Buzbee also submitted evidence of threats that were sent to Solis over social media, email, and text messages.

'Ur a b**** for suing Deshaun,' read one message. 'We both know he didn't do s*** to u... I hope u get raped later in ur life.'

Hardin has alleged the accusations against his client were made following a failed attempt to blackmail Watson for $30,000. He previously accused the plaintiffs of being motivated by financial gain, saying that Solis originally sought a $100,000 settlement from his client.

Watson attorney Rusty Hardin has alleged the accusations against his client were made following a failed attempt to blackmail his client for $30,000. Hardin previously accused the plaintiffs of being motivated by financial gain, saying that accuser Ashley Solis originally sought a $100,000 settlement from his client.

Solis responded to that accusation during her press conference in April.

'People say I'm doing this just for money,' Solis said. 'That is false. I come forward now in hopes Deshaun Watson does not hurt another woman.

'We were all deceived into thinking Deshaun Watson was a good guy, and unfortunately we know that good guys can do terrible things,' she added.

Hardin has shared statements from 18 other female massage therapists, who say that Watson acted appropriately during their private sessions.

According to Solis's filing, which was obtained by DailyMail.com, Watson exposed himself during his massage in March of 2020 before adjusting his position to force his erect penis into her hand.

'Plaintiff abruptly ended the massage and asked Watson to leave her house,' read the filing.

Watson , who led the league in yards passing in 2020 after signing a four-year, $156 million contract extension last summer, was seeking a trade before the allegations surfaced, and that may be on the horizon

Solis said she was in tears as Watson left. On his way out, she said, Watson told her: 'I know you have a career and a reputation, and I know you would hate for someone to mess with yours, just as I don't want anyone messing with mine.'

'I replay the incident over and over in my head as if I'm trying to wake up for some horrible nightmare, only that nightmare is real,' she said Tuesday.

Nike has suspended its endorsement deal with Watson amid the allegations. He signed with the apparel company in 2017 for an undisclosed amount. A Nike spokesman did not respond to DailyMail.com's question about the specifics of Watson's suspension, like whether the company will pull ads featuring the NFL star or withhold his pay

Later, Solis said, Watson reached out via text message to apologize for the incident, but she did not respond. Buzbee has since shared that alleged text message from Watson to Solis on social media.

'Sorry about you feeling uncomfortable,' read the text message. 'Never were the intensions. Lmk if you want to work in the future. My apologies.'

Nike has since suspended its endorsement deal with Watson amid the allegations. He signed with the apparel company in 2017 for an undisclosed amount.

A Nike spokesman did not respond to DailyMail.com's question about the specifics of Watson's suspension, like whether the company will pull ads featuring the NFL star or withhold his pay.

Meanwhile Beats by Dre, a headphone manufacturer, has dropped Watson entirely, according to Front Office Sports. 

Despite Watson's on-field success, the Texans fell to 4-12 last season despite winning the AFC South in 2018 and 2019.