Texans’ Deshaun Watson helping Tyrod Taylor prepare to start?

As things stand heading into the first days of August, veteran journeyman Tyrod Taylor is set to start at quarterback for the Houston Texans ahead of Deshaun Watson for multiple reasons. 

Taylor is Houston’s default QB1 during training-camp sessions as Watson watches team drills standing off to the side amid reports he wishes to be traded, and the 25-year-old is facing 22 lawsuits alleging acts of sexual assault and misconduct and 10 criminal complaints that could ultimately land him on the commissioner’s exempt list at any point this summer. 

Per Sarah Barshop of ESPN, Taylor told reporters Friday that Watson has been the opposite of a distraction early on in camp. 

“Me and Deshaun are friends,” Taylor explained. “We’ve known each other for a number of years now. We’ve had conversations on the field, off the field. Non-football, about life. Everything has been positive conversations, and they’ll continue to be that way.” 

Taylor continued: “My mindset has been the same since I was drafted back in 2011. To walk in every day with your best attitude, compete, prepare like a starter and go out and make plays.” 

In early June, Taylor said he and Watson were friends but added he was “looking forward” to the opportunity to start. With the Houston Police Department and NFL still investigating what the league recently said were “serious allegations” made against Watson, it seems unlikely he’d be allowed to participate in meaningful games that will air on national and worldwide television beginning in September. 

That leaves Taylor as Houston’s starter until further notice.