CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson is back in the news for reasons unrelated to football.
On Tuesday, the NFL announced they are looking into a new civil lawsuit against the Cleveland Browns quarterback. The lawsuit involves an alleged sexual assault that occurred in 2020 while Watson was still playing for the Houston Texans.
A woman from Texas has accused Watson of forcibly assaulting her in her apartment four years ago. She claims that Watson engaged in non-consensual sexual acts with her for several minutes and is seeking $1 million in damages, according to court documents.
Brian McCarthy, a spokesperson for the NFL, stated, “We are reviewing the complaint and will investigate the situation in accordance with our personal conduct policy.” He added that the league is not considering putting Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list since no formal charges have been filed and their review has just started.
The commissioner’s exempt list allows NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to place a player on paid leave while examining their situation or any extraordinary cases.
For instance, Browns rookie defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. is currently on the exempt list as he faces a criminal charge for domestic violence.
Watson is currently in his third season with the Browns. In 2022, he was suspended for 11 games after over two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior during massage therapy sessions, resulting in a $5 million fine.
Watson settled 23 out of 24 civil lawsuits filed by the women before receiving punishment from the league in 2022.
It remains unclear whether Watson informed the NFL or the Browns about this latest allegation before the lawsuit was submitted in Harris County, Texas. The woman’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, previously represented several of the other therapists in their claims against Watson.
The Browns responded to the new lawsuit with a statement saying, “We will respect the proper legal process regarding the recently filed civil suit and will adhere to the NFL’s guidelines on this issue.”
Watson’s complicated tenure with the Browns began when they signed him to a fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million. However, his potential as a long-term solution for the team at quarterback has been hampered by his legal troubles, a long suspension, and a shoulder injury that limited him to just six games last season.
In his 13 starts, he has not performed up to expectations, and the Browns managed to reach the playoffs last season after bringing in veteran quarterback Joe Flacco for the last month of the season.
On Sunday, during his first game back since undergoing surgery for a broken bone in his throwing shoulder last November, Watson struggled. He completed 24 out of 45 passes for 169 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions in a 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He was also sacked six times and took several hard hits.
Despite these challenges, Watson is expected to play when the Browns face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. He typically speaks to the media on Wednesdays during game week.
Watson’s underwhelming performance against the Cowboys has raised further concerns about the Browns’ decision to sign him. Additionally, he has been experiencing personal difficulties following the recent deaths of his biological father and a former Clemson teammate shortly before the game.
In light of these numerous distractions, coach Kevin Stefanski expressed confidence in Watson on Monday, saying, “Deshaun has consistently played at a very high level and has succeeded at every stage of football. He doesn’t lack confidence.”
NOTES: As anticipated, the Browns signed WR Kadarius Toney to their practice squad after his release from Kansas City in August. Toney, who played a crucial role in one of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victories, adds valuable experience to Cleveland’s roster. Meanwhile, CB Justin Hardee Sr. and WR Tulu Griffin were released from the practice squad.
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