There appears to be a very real possibility Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson will not be under center when the 2021 season begins.

CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora said during an interview on 106.7 The Fan's The Sports Junkieshe does not envision Watson playing football until his legal issues are resolved:

“I don’t think you’re going to see Deshaun Watson in an NFL building for a long time, certainly not until there’s more clarity about (it). This is a legal situation,” La Canfora said, via 247Sports. “This is a league situation. This is a civil situation. I don’t think Deshaun Watson has any short-term future playing football. Longterm, I think, will depend on these various findings and how some of the cases are adjudicated.”

Watson faces 22 civil lawsuits alleging inappropriate conduct and sexual assault. The Texans star and his legal team, including lawyer Rusty Hardin, have denied the allegations.

The Houston Police Department launched an investigation into some allegations against Watson at the beginning of April. The NFL is also maintaining a separate investigation.

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It is possible Watson could face punishment under the law depending on how the legal process plays out. Even if the lawsuits are resolved, the NFL could still punish him with the information available to the league.

All these reasons would seem to inform La Canfora's opinion Watson is a long way from playing football.

The Texans appear to at least be preparing for the possibility. Houston drafted former Stanford quarterback David Mills with its first pick in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Finley are also in the room at the quarterback position. But the Mills selection could suggest the Texans are preparing for every possible scenario as far as Watson is concerned.