Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson had nothing to do with the team’s 37-21 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 at NRG Stadium.
It was the first time since Nov. 19, 2017, against the Arizona Cardinals that the Texans won a game without Watson under center. Nevertheless, he is still a storyline.
Charles Omenihu, who produced two tackles in the win over the Jaguars, went on Houston radio to say he still has an affinity for Watson, even though he was inactive as the team’s third quarterback on Sept. 12.
“I mean, regardless of his situation, Deshaun is my boy,” Omenihu said on “The Wheelhouse with Jake Asman, Cody Stoots, and Brad Kellner” on ESPN 97.5 [KFNC-FM] Tuesday. “I was riding with Deshaun before I got into the league just for the fact that we got the same agent. So, I’ve been around him. To me, it’s outside of my pay grade, but him as a person, and as a friend, will always stay the same. It will never waver.”
Watson, who requested a trade from the Texans in late January, is also involving in pending litigation wherein 22 women have alleged he committed sexual assault. Tyrod Taylor started for Houston against the Jaguars and produced 291 yards passing and two touchdowns while completing 21 of his 33 passes.
Houston faces the Cleveland Browns Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time from FirstEnergy Stadium. A win would make it the first time since 2016 the Texans started 2-0, something the club never got around to accomplishing during the Watson era.