The Deshaun Watson off-the-field drama continues, as news broke that the former Pro Bowl quarterback is planning on pleading the 5th Amendment during his upcoming civil deposition this Friday. That is the same day that the grand jury will present their case against Watson in criminal court.

As The NFL Network's Tom Pelissero noted, Deshaun Watson and his legal team had previously requested a delay of his civil deposition. The motion had reportedly been denied. That was a very big deal. Any information shed to light from his civil litigation can be used against Watson in criminal court.

With the grand jury presenting its case in criminal court the same day, Watson does not want to share any information that can be used against him. That prompted his legal team to strategize and decide it is best to plead the fifth.

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Watson is facing 22 civil cases from women accusing him of a wide range of misconduct. The claims range from certain actions he allegedly performed while at massage parlors, from refusing to cover his genitals all the way to forcing oral sex be performed.

The Houston Texans suspended their star quarterback for the entirety of the 2021 season, as this story developed. That allowed the NFL to stay out of the matter for the time being. However, the Texans also inquired trading the embattled quarterback. Ultimately, no deal was ever reached and the Texans are now at the mercy of Watson and the court proceedings.

This is a developing story that is surely far from over.