Goodell said there is no timetable for reaching a decision on Watson, who was on the Texans roster last season but did not play as the team made him inactive on game day. The only thing thats changed is the criminal element has been at least resolved, and that was an important element in the context of the Commissioner Exempt List as discussed with the Players Association. With his money he could buy a robot doll. The Commissioner also has the authority to determine in advance whether a player's time on the Exempt List will be finite or will continue until the Commissioner deems the exemption should be lifted and the player returned to the Active List. In April, the Chiefs traded for Frank Clark, a player who was dismissed from the Michigan football team after he was arrested and charged with domestic violence. Thanks to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport was were able to get the full explanation directly from the NFL Player Personnel Policy Manual: "The Exempt List is a special player status available to clubs only in unusual circumstances. Only the Commissioner has the authority to place a player on the Exempt List; clubs have no such authority, and no exemption, regardless of circumstances, is automatic. <\/p>\n

\"The Commissioner also has the authority to determine in advance whether a player's time on the Exempt List will be finite or will continue until the Commissioner deems the exemption should be lifted and the player returned to the Active List.\"<\/p>\n