The Houston Texans signed two veteran receivers, free agents Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones, but they were linked to Rashod Bateman of the Baltimore Ravens.
News also surfaced on Friday about Bateman’s recent arrest for domestic violence.
It is unclear how motivated the Texans were to pursue him at all, let alone after adding Shepard and Jones. But the findings on Bateman may be what led them to pivot. A new update from Bateman’s attorney paints the situation in a different light than the initial reporting, though.
Texans Trade Target Rashod Bateman’s Arrest Situation Gets Update
GettyThe Texans’ interest in Rashod Bateman may be gone.
The Texans’ interest in a trade for Bateman came before a report of accusations that he broke the windshield and driver’s side window of the car that the mother of his child was in.
The child was also present in the vehicle at the time of the alleged incident.
“NFL star Rashod Bateman is accused of family violence in Georgia after he allegedly smashed the windows of his baby mama’s car,” TMZ reported on X on August 21, noting that “his 3-month-old” child was inside the vehicle at the time. “According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, the alleged victim told cops the incident happened around 6 AM on June 3.
“According to the arrest warrant, glass shattered and caused multiple small lacerations to the alleged victim’s face. The officer noted they saw some glass in her face when talking to her and multiple contusions to her face.”
Shortly after the report, the Ravens issued a statement about the arrest. The matter almost certainly would have come up during trade talks with Texans GM Nick Caserio.
“We are aware of the situation involving Rashod and have been in direct communication with him,” the Ravens said, per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley on August 21. “We notified the league office and have been cooperating throughout the process. As this is a pending legal matter, we will not have further comment.”
Rashod Bateman’s Attorney Pushes Back
GettyRashod Bateman’s attorney has pushed back.
TMZ has since updated their initial report on Bateman. It remains unclear how it could impact the Texans’ interest in a trade, it at all, though.
“It is unfortunate that a personal family situation has been taken completely out of context for sensational reasons,” Bateman’s attorney, Jordan Sien of Reed Smith, said, per TMZ. “We will let the court process play out and the facts will come out at that time.”
The Texans can simply walk away from this situation.
However, it is a reminder of just how tricky it can be to navigate the market for help. That is particularly true at this point of the season.
Texans Expected to Make Another Roster Move
GettyThe Texans will need to make another roster move after adding Sterling Shepard.
A trade for Bateman may be unlikely, if not a dead issue, at this point. However, the Texans are expected to shake up their roster in the next day or so.
“Houston Texans will need to make an additional roster reduction tomorrow to accommodate the signings of Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones,” Over The Cap’s Troy Chapman posted on X following the moves.
That means the Texans must make more tough decisions after placing Jayden Higgins on IR.
New Details Emerge After Rumored Texans Trade Target Arrested