Count ESPN NFL insider Chris Mortensen among those who believe that the Houston Texans will trade quarterback Deshaun Watson before the trade deadline, allowing the three-time Pro Bowler to play ball in 2021.

Mortensen joined “The Wheelhouse” on ESPN 97.5 [KFNC-FM] Thursday and talked about the possibility of Watson playing in another NFL city this season.

“I’ll say this, Nov. 2 is the trade deadline,” Mortensen said. “I’m of the mind right now that Deshaun Watson is going to play football this year. But that’s just me speculating. That’s not reporting. It’s just that based off the calendar, unless we get an indictment from a grand jury, I think it’s possible he gets traded. I really do.”

Watson is currently involved in pending litigation as a defendant as 22 women have accused him of sexual assault. There are also 10 criminal complaints of the same nature filed with the Houston Police Department.

Although Mortensen believes Watson will play in 2021, he is handicapping the odds at less than 50%.

Said Mortensen: “You still probably put this thing under 50-50 of happening this year. But as of right now, he isn’t suspended. There’s no indication that he’s going to be suspended or on the commissioner’s [exempt] list now. But that’s still unknown to the team acquiring Deshaun Watson.”

One of the teams Mortensen mentioned that is a preferred destination of Watson’s is the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are 1-0, same as the Texans.

Throughout training camp, Watson participated in individual drills only. Watson has not practiced for Houston since the regular season began, but is listed on the team’s depth chart as the third quarterback.

Watson requested a trade from the Texans in late January.