HOUSTON — A grand jury on Friday declined to indict Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson following a police investigation sparked by lawsuits filed by 22 women who have accused him of sexual assault and harassment.
The grand jury’s decision came about a year after the women first filed their suits, accusing Watson of exposing himself, touching them with his penis or kissing them against their will during massage appointments. One woman alleged Watson forced her to perform oral sex.
Houston police began investigating Watson in April 2021 after a criminal complaint was filed. The FBI also was reviewing the allegations.
Prosecutors presented evidence and testimony to the grand jury for over six hours on Friday related to nine criminal complaints against Watson, Johna Stallings, chief of the adult sex crimes and trafficking division with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, said. She declined to say what possible charges were presented to the grand jury for consideration.
“We respect the grand jury’s decision,” Stallings said.
Stallings said that decision ended criminal proceedings related to Watson in Harris County, where Houston is located.
RAIDERS: Las Vegas signed star defensive end Maxx Crosby to a four-year extension worth about $95 million in the first major personnel move made by the new regime of Coach Josh McDaniels and General Manager Dave Ziegler.
The Raiders locked up Crosby before he entered the final year of his rookie deal with the new contract Friday that he signed two years to the day that he became sober after dealing with alcohol abuse.
COWBOYS: Dallas waived tight end Blake Jarwin and released kicker Greg Zuerlein, moves that bring modest savings under the salary cap.
The Cowboys will save almost $4 million on the cap by dumping Jarwin and another $2.5 million by moving on from Zuerlein. Dallas was about $1 million over the cap before the moves.
DOLPHINS: The team said it placed a second-round tender on cornerback Nik Needham.
The deal means Needham will earn nearly $4 million next season with the Dolphins, unless he signs an offer with another team that Miami elects to not match. The Dolphins would receive a second-round pick if that occurs.
BEARS: Chicago is apparently releasing versatile running back and return specialist Tarik Cohen, who he has been sidelined for nearly two years because of a knee injury.
Cohen all but confirmed the move on Twitter, posting, “How do I file for unemployment?”
An All-Pro punt returner in 2018, Cohen hasn’t played since Week 3 of the 2020 season. He tore the ACL in his right knee in a win at Atlanta – eight days after he signed a three-year contract extension worth up to $18.25 million with about $9.5 million guaranteed – and has since been sidelined.
JAGUARS: Jacksonville released veteran running back Carlos Hyde, parting with one of the players former coach Urban Meyer brought in to help the team acclimate to his methods.
Hyde played for Meyer at Ohio State. The Jaguars paid him $2.44 million in 2021 to play behind starter James Robinson. Hyde finished with 253 yards rushing and a touchdown in his eighth NFL season.
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