Romeo Crennel won't shut down Deshaun Watson for season: 'We play this game to win'

The 4-9 Texans have officially been eliminated from the playoffs, but interim coach Romeo Crennel says that the team has no intention of resting quarterback Deshaun Watson, insisting that Houston remains committed to winning as many games as possible this season. 

"My deal is: we're in this game, we play this game to win and there's a season to be played," Crennel explained. "If you shut down Watson, then should you shut down the rest of the team and everybody pack up and go home for three games left?"

It's an unsurprising answer, as shutting down Watson for the rest of the year would essentially be throwing up the white flag for the season. And considering that Crennel almost certainly will not be the Texans' head coach next season, he has extra motivation to win as many games as possible in what may be his final stint as a head coach.

But there are still concerns about Watson risking long-term injury by playing in ultimately meaningless games, especially with the Texans giving up seven sacks against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. But Watson says he has no plans to sit out during the remaining three games, telling reporters that he wants to "finish this season out strong."

While the Texans have no playoff aspirations of their own, they could still play spoiler, as they are scheduled to face the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans over the remaining three games. And without Watson, Houston would have virtually no chance of upsetting either of its division rivals.