BEREA, Ohio – Officially added Cleveland Deshaun Watson Monday’s 53-man roster cleared the way for his Browns Sunday, he will make his debut against his former club, the Houston Texans.
The Browns have fired their quarterback Joshua Dobbs You will make the same move.
Watson was given an 11-game suspension after violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He had committed sexual assault against massage therapists. He was also fined $5M and required to complete a mandatory treatment program.
Watson’s Sunday return will mark 700 days since he last played in a regular season game with the Texans (on Jan. 3, 2021).
Watson was accused by more than 20 women of sexual assault during massage sessions. He settled 23 out of 24 lawsuits he was facing over the summer. The plaintiff dropped a 25th lawsuit after the judge said that her petition must be amended with her name. Watson was also charged with criminal offences by two women who did not file a lawsuit against him. Another woman sued Watson on Oct. 13 alleging that he forced her to have oral sex in 2020 during a massage session.
Two Texas grand juries rejected to file criminal charges against Watson in Texas earlier this year. Watson repeatedly denied wrongdoing, and stated that people haven’t been interested to hear his side of the story.
He has not spoken out publicly since August’s suspension announcement, although he is expected back to do so in the coming weeks.
In March, Watson was traded by the Browns to the Texans. This sent three first-round draft picks to the Texans. Watson was also signed by Cleveland to a 5-year contract worth $230 Million guaranteed. This is the most lucrative NFL contract.
Watson has been working with the Browns since Nov. 16, and has been attending team meetings since Oct. 10.
Kevin Stefanski, Browns’ coach, stated Monday that the team was “excited” for him to play.
Stefanski said, “He’s done an excellent job with his time away. He’s physically kept sharp, and mentally staying sharp.” “I believe he’ll have the energy to go.”
After Sunday’s overtime victory over the Philadelphia, Cleveland is now 4-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.