Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is serving an 11-game suspension of the 2022 season for sexual misconduct, received authorization from the NFL to train with his team on Monday.
Watson was sued by 24 women for sexual misconduct in massage therapies he received in 2020 while playing for Houston Texas, lawsuits he settled with confidential settlements last June.
Although it closed those processes, the NFL evaluated the behavior of the passer in an internal committee that on August 18 determined to suspend him for 11 games this season for his behavior and fine him five million dollars.
Deshaun Watson missed the 2021 campaign because of these legal issues. At the end of the year he applied to leave the Texans, which he achieved last February when he signed with the Browns a five-year, $230 million contract.
The 11-game suspension also barred Watson from participating in Cleveland’s workouts and playing the three-game preseason. The quarterback was only allowed to attend meetings and exercise at the team’s premises.
The three-time Pro Bowl selection’s 2022 season debut is scheduled for the Week 13 game on Dec. 4 in which the Browns will visit their former team, the Houston Texans.
Since week one of the season, Jacoby Brissett has been the Browns‘ top passer and helped them amass a three-win, six-loss mark that puts them in third place in the North of the American Conference.
Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry said last week that no matter what the team scores, Deshaun Watson will start in the Week 13 game against the Texans.
“Jacoby has been everything we hoped for, but we’re also excited to have Deshaun back; he’s been in great shape, he’s been in the meetings and he’ll be ready for Dec. 4,” Berry said.
Before Deshaun Watson’s appearance, the Browns will visit the Buffalo Bills this Sunday in week 11 and in week 12 they will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
