BEREA, Ohio — Quarterback Deshaun Watson Is set to rejoin the Cleveland Browns This week, on the practice field
Watson has been allowed to take part in Browns’ team meetings and exercise at the Browns training facility since Oct. 10. Watson will still be allowed to practice with the team, for the first time since training camp. On Wednesday, the Browns will practice again.
Watson committed sexual assault on massage therapists in violation of the NFL’s personal behavior policy. He will be suspended for an additional 11 games.
He can participate in practice now, as he prepares for his Browns debut Dec. 4, against his former team. Houston Texans.
Coach Kevin Stefanski stated Monday that he would have a plan to get him ready.
After Watson was accused by over two dozen women of inappropriate sexual conduct during massage sessions and sexual assault, the NFL and NFL Players Association reached an agreement to end Watson’s 11-game suspension. Watson was also subject to a mandatory treatment program and was fined $5 million.
Jacoby Brissett Watson was suspended while Watson was out of the game. Watson has been replaced by Watson. Andrew Berry, the general manager, stated recently that Watson will replace Brissett in Cleveland’s starting lineup once he’s able to return. However, Stefanski stressed that Brissett’s readiness to play will continue to be Cleveland’s primary focus in practice.
Stefanski stated that whatever we do with Deshaun will not affect Jacoby’s preparation.
Watson settled 23 of the 24 lawsuits he was facing over the summer. The plaintiff dropped a 25th lawsuit after the judge ordered that her petition be amended with her name. Watson was also convicted of a crime by two other women, but they did not sue.
A civil lawsuit was filed against Watson by another woman on October 13. She claims that Watson forced her to engage in oral sex at a 2020 massage session. Watson’s lawyers filed a series court exhibits two weeks later to discredit the allegation.
Two Texas grand juries declined to bring criminal charges against Watson earlier in the year. However, Sue L. Robinson (an independent arbiter) was jointly appointed by the league, players’ union and the league to determine that the NFL had met its burden of proving that Watson committed sexual assault. Robinson concluded that Watson’s behavior in her report was both “egregious”, and “predatory.”
Watson repeatedly denied wrongdoing, and stated that no one has been interested in his side of the story. Watson has not spoken publicly since the announcement of his suspension.
The Browns made a trade for Watson in March. This gave the Texans three draft picks in their first round. Watson was also signed by Cleveland to a five-year contract worth $230 million guaranteed. This is the most lucrative NFL contract.
Watson hasn’t played in a regular season game since 2020. He sat out last year in Houston, while waiting for a deal.
The Browns (3-6), will face the Buffalo Bills The weekend before, then Tampa Bay Buccaneers Before Watson’s return. After Cleveland’s. 39-17 loss The Miami Dolphins On Sunday, ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Browns only a 4.5% chance of making the playoffs.