In accordance with a settlement with the NFL reached after being accused of sexual misconduct by two dozen women when playing for Houston, Deshaun Watson, the quarterback of the Cleveland Browns who is now on suspension can start practise on Monday.
In August, Watson, who the Browns acquired in a contentious deal in March, was suspended for 11 games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. He consented to the suspension, the $5 million punishment, and the requirement that he seek therapy and treatment.
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The three-time Pro Bowler joined the team again last month, but his involvement has been limited to attending meetings, working out in the weight room, and participating in conditioning drills with Cleveland’s coaching staff.
On Monday, when he is permitted to practise, that will change.
The Browns (3-5) play at Miami on Sunday and won’t have their next on-field workout until Wednesday when Watson, who will be eligible to play on Dec. 4 — against Houston — can rejoin his teammates.
“I’ve been waiting. We’re still waiting. I’m ready to play with him,” “said Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who was also Watson’s teammate with the Texans. ”I’ve played with him before. He’s a big energy booster for a team. He can go out there make some crazy throws, make some plays, and I think when he gets back we can open up our playbook with him a little different.
“It’s going to be exciting to see when he gets back. I’m just ready for it.”
Watson has consistently refuted the claims made by the women that he exposed himself to them and inappropriately touched them during massage therapy sessions. Of the 24 civil cases that were filed against the 27-year-old, 23 were settled. In Texas, a new civil case alleging sexual misconduct by Watson was filed in October.
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In Texas, two grand juries decided not to charge him with criminal charges.
When the Browns made him an offer of a five-year, $230 million contract that is completely guaranteed, Watson changed his mind after being courted by other teams and originally declining a trade with them. The Browns are relying on Watson to develop into a franchise quarterback after trading three first-round draft picks to the Texans for him.
Jacoby Brissett has played well while filling in at quarterback, but he’ll soon step aside for Cleveland’s final six games.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski declined to specify the team’s immediate plans for Watson when he comes back next week.
“We kind of have a plan for that moving forward,” Stefanski said. “Deshaun is a great, great teammate. He has been awesome having him back in the building and in the meetings rooms.”
The Browns can’t afford many more losses or their playoff hopes will vanish before Watson comes back. There’s obvious incentive to play well to set up Watson’s return to games, but All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett said that can’t be the focus.
“We’ve got to win regardless if he comes back or not,” Garrett said. “Anything can happen, praying to God that he’s healthy and everything goes right when he comes back, but I don’t plan on handing it to anyone.
“He’s coming back to us, so we’re all going to do our part and he’s going to come in and do an exceptional job, and we fully believe that. But we’ve got to win for the sake of winning, wanting to be great and do great for the sake of this city. Not just for him coming back.”
