The Texans open training camp on July 28, and they can start fining Watson $50,000 for each day of camp he misses. A more likely scenario, which was mentioned by Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer last week, is the NFL puts Watson on the commissioner's exempt list until his legal issues play out. Under that scenario, Watson would still get paid, but isn't counted as a member of the Texans' active roster. It also would save the Texans from having to fine their superstar until his off-the-field issues are settled.
“My sense is the league would probably try to kick the can down the road as long as the legal situation’s still playing out, and the way they kick the can down the road is that exempt clause," Breer said on The Dan Patrick Show.