Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
More reports of Watson trade talks
MIAMI GARDENS — Game day for the Miami Dolphins arrived with Tua Tagovailoa still the team’s quarterback, but it was not without more national reports surfacing that linked the Dolphins to trade talks with the Houston Texans for troubled star quarterback Deshaun Watson.
“[The Texans] are still very heavily engaged with trade talks to the Miami Dolphins,” Fox’s Jay Glazer said on the network’s pregame programming. “Another team actually called up just to inquire, and the message the Texans are giving off is, ‘You got to beat Miami’s offer.’
“It looks like it’s all heading toward that way, and I do also know they are looking for at least — at least — three first-round picks, plus two additional picks for Deshaun Watson.”
NFL Network also had similar reporting that a deal could be struck between the Dolphins and Texans before the NFL’s Nov. 2 trade deadline.
“The hope, the belief, the expectation is something will happen involving a trade and Deshaun Watson before Nov. 2,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said. “There’s been plenty of false starts. There’s been plenty of rumors around this, so take this for what it is, but the expectation is that something will be completed by Nov. 2.”
Rapoport said there are other teams still interested in trading for Watson, despite his 22 civil lawsuits for sexual assault and misconduct. He included the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles in that group amid Watson’s “unsettled” legal situation.
Watson has a no-trade clause with the Texans, and Rapoport said it would be waved for a move to Miami, but it is unclear if the same would be true for other teams involved.
After Miami was linked to Watson last offseason and in the preseason, reports resurfaced on Wednesday, first coming from Texans’ local reporters in Houston that said a trade was possible within the week. Tagovailoa, after throwing four touchdowns and two interceptions in the 30-28 loss to the Falcons, said he wasn’t distracted by the reports.
“It was a normal week for me,” Tagovailoa said. “I approach this game the same I would any other game.
“I hear it. I just don’t listen to it. That’s the thing.”
Dolphins coach Brian Flores sat down for a conversation with Tagovailoa over the developments.
The nature of it, according to Flores: “Understand that there’s some outside noise, some outside distractions, but just do everything he can to focus. He was able to do that.”
Added Tagovailoa: “I respect what Flo does. He’s transparent. He sits me down. He tells me what’s going on. He has conversations with [general manager Chris] Grier. He kind of keeps me in the loop of those things.”
NFL Network’s report also cleared up why Watson is not currently on the commissioner’s exempt list, although the Texans have not played him this season. Watson would be eligible to play for the team that trades for him while his legal situation plays out.
“A player can be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list if he is charged with a felony or a violent crime,” Rapoport said. “As of right now, that does not seem to apply for Deshaun Watson. I have not heard that he is going to be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, even if someone trades for him, even if his legal situation is unsettled. Barring some sort of unexpected development, I would expect him to be eligible to play.”
Baker, Brown exit
Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker left Sunday’s game with a first-half knee injury.
He was initially deemed questionable to return, but was later ruled out for the rest of game.
Dolphins running back Malcolm Brown, who got the start ahead of Myles Gaskin on Sunday, left with a quadricep injury on that opening drive. He also did not return to the game.
Miami wide receiver Jaylen Waddle also was looked at by trainers on the field momentarily, but he was able to get back into action later in the first half Sunday. The same went for linebacker Elandon Roberts, who was taken out for two plays early in the second — one which resulted in a long touchdown from Matt Ryan to Russell Gage — and then returned for the following defensive series.
Howard, Jones play; Parker sits
The Dolphins had seven players enter Sunday questionable. Four of them were active and three were held out.
Those active: Cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Byron Jones, outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips and wide receiver Preston Williams.
The ones out: Wide receiver DeVante Parker, center Greg Mancz and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene.
The Dolphins had their starting cornerback tandem comprised of their two highest-paid players on the roster back after a week away, and Howard had an interception Sunday.
Howard (shoulder/groin), who added he felt great Sunday, and Jones (Achilles/groin) missed the Oct. 17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. It led to extended playing time for Igbinoghene and Justin Coleman, alongside Nik Needham, in the cornerback rotation.
Parker (shoulder/hamstring) missed a third consecutive week after also being held out in London and the previous week’s defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Williams (groin) returned after also missing last week against Jacksonville, limiting how many pass-catching options Tagovailoa had at his disposal in his first game back from three weeks away with fractured ribs. Miami also has Will Fuller (finger) on injured reserve.
On top of Williams, the Dolphins had tight end Adam Shaheen back after he was held out against the Jaguars. Shaheen had four receptions for 23 yards. Williams, who started, made a 5-yard catch, but he was taken out later in favor of Mack Hollins, who scored a late go-ahead touchdown.
Mancz (groin) was already filling in for injured Dolphins starting center Michael Deiter. Miami went to a third option to snap the ball to Tagovailoa, starting Austin Reiter, who was signed off the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad on Oct. 5. The Dolphins called up Cameron Tom from the practice squad on Saturday to back him up.
The Dolphins trotted out their sixth different starting offensive line in seven games. They had only run the same unit for two consecutive weeks last time out against Jacksonville.
Igbinoghene (knee) was injured at Friday’s practice, popping up on the injury report after the week’s final session after being healthy through Thursday.
Phillips was nursing an ankle injury and limited throughout the week of practice. The rookie was available but also limited in the game, held without a tackle and picking up just one hit on the quarterback.
Along with the three Dolphins out with injuries, tight end Hunter Long, defensive tackle John Jenkins and tackle Greg Little were healthy inactives.
Tagovailoa, Shaheen, Jenkins, quarterback Jacoby Brissett, running back Malcolm Brown, safety Brandon Jones, offensive lineman Austin Jackson and linebacker Elandon Roberts were others named on the injury report throughout the week coming off Miami’s long travel to and from England, but all were expected to play.