Yahoo Sports Deshaun Watson says Texans re-signing Will Fuller is 'very important' despite PEDs suspension
While the recent suspension may play a role in Will Fuller’s future, Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson said Wednesday that it’s “very important” that Fuller is back with the Texans next season.
Fuller, who is playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, was suspended for six games on Monday for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy.
“Will knows that we all love him,” Watson said, via ESPN’s Sara Barshop. “He always do the right thing and then one slip-up just got popped. But we always going to have his back. Will’s my brother. The whole organization knows that too. And you know, make sure that we get him back for next year, especially in this organization.”
Will Fuller suspended for PED violation
Fuller and Texans cornerback Bradley Roby were suspended for six games on Monday for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy. Fuller insisted that the violation was a result of prescribed medication that was mistakenly given to him by a medical professional. Roby had a similar story in his statement, too.
Fuller apologized to Texans fans, and vowed to return next season. The 26-year-old racked up a career-high 879 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 53 receptions this season, his fifth in the league after the Texans grabbed him with the No. 21 overall pick in 2016.
“Earlier this year, I sought treatment from a medical professional who prescribed medication that he believed to be permitted under the NFL’s drug policy,” Fuller said in an Instagram post. “As it turns out, my trust in this professional was misplaced because this medication was NOT a permitted substance under the NFL Policy on Performance Enhancing Substances … I want to sincerely apologize to the Texans organization and all of my fans for this mistake.
“I am looking forward to putting this all behind me and returning better than ever in 2021.”
Fuller will miss the final five games of the season for the Texans and the season opener next fall before he can retake the field. He will become a free agent this offseason. The Texans fielded trade offers for him before the deadline last month.
It’s unclear if they will try to re-sign him, or if his suspension will impact that decision.
For Watson, Fuller shouldn’t be going anywhere else.
“[Keeping him is] very important,” he said. “That’s definitely one guy that I’m going to be working on this last month and offseason for sure.”
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