Deshaun Watson Won’t Be Deposed Until 2022

The legal system takes its time. There’s no rush to get people in and out. It’s long and time-consuming. The goal is to get the right decision, not a quick decision.

The first three lawsuits were filed against Deshaun Watson in March of this year. Since then, 20 more lawsuits had been filed, to bring the total to 23, though one was eventually withdrawn, so there are 22 pending. We’re rapidly approaching June, when OTAs take place—Deshaun Watson is already expected to sit out. July will be here soon, and training camps will open. Preseason games will be played in August. September is when the NFL season begins.

Although the clock is moving, the legal process is slowly worming its way to a resolution. The case won’t head to trial for a very long time; the women who are suing Watson, and Watson himself, won’t answer questions under oath in a deposition until 2022.

The 22 women who are suing the Houston Texans quarterback for alleged sexual assault would be deposed before Watson, who’s not scheduled until early 2022, Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, said Tuesday.

According to the docket for the case, Watson can’t be deposed before Feb. 22, 2022.

Of course, this has nothing to do with the NFL’s investigation into Watson. The NFL is its own trial and jury. The league can suspend players however it sees fit. The NFL is conducting its own investigation; so far, the only thing that has been said is that they take this matter very seriously.

To summarize:

• Watson still wants out of Houston.
• Barring settlement of the civil claims, the legal process won’t play out until after the 2021 season.
• Even if the civil suits gets resolved, it remains to be seen what, if anything, will happen in terms of a criminal investigation.
• No one has any idea if Watson will be suspended by the NFL.
• Watson is still on the Texans’ roster.