Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson suspended 6 video games for violating NFL’s private conduct coverage

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will serve a six recreation suspension for violating the league’s private conduct coverage following accusations of sexual misconduct, disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson dominated Monday, a supply informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The gamers’ union, in an announcement Sunday evening, made it clear that it’ll “stand by” Robinson’s ruling and urged the NFL to do the identical.

Both facet would have three days to submit an attraction in writing. In that case, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell or his designee “will subject a written determination that can represent full, closing and full disposition of the dispute,” per phrases of Article 46 within the CBA.

Watson has been accused of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct throughout therapeutic massage periods in civil lawsuits filed by 25 girls. The encounters cited within the lawsuits occurred between March 2020 and March 2021, whereas Watson was a member of the Houston Texans. One of many 25 lawsuits was dropped following a choose’s ruling in April 2021 that plaintiffs wanted to amend their petitions to reveal their names. In June, Watson settled 20 of the 24 lawsuits he was going through; on Monday, he agreed to settle three of the remaining 4, in line with Houston legal professional Tony Buzbee, who represents the ladies suing Watson.

Final month, the Texans reached settlements with 30 women who made claims or have been ready to make claims in opposition to the group for its alleged position concerning the allegations in opposition to Watson.

Robinson heard arguments from the league, union and Watson’s legal professional throughout a three-day listening to held in her dwelling state of Delaware in late June. The NFL had been pushing for a suspension of at the least a 12 months, whereas the NFLPA and Watson’s legal professional argued that the quarterback shouldn’t be suspended in any respect. The edges mentioned a possible settlement all the way in which up by the listening to, however couldn’t comply with a deal.

Within the days main as much as Robinson’s determination, the league and Watson’s facet did interact in additional settlement talks, sources informed ESPN’s Dan Graziano, however neither facet ever felt they have been near an settlement. Essentially the most Watson’s facet indicated it was prepared to supply was a suspension within the vary of six to eight video games, in line with sources. The most effective the league indicated it was prepared to supply was a 12-game suspension and a major fantastic — within the vary of $8 million, sources mentioned.

If his suspension is upheld, Watson will nonetheless be capable to take part in apply in the course of the preseason. He may also be allowed to return to the Browns to apply in the course of the second half of the suspension, in line with the CBA. However he is not going to be allowed to be with the group in the course of the first half of the suspension.

Though two grand juries in Texas declined to pursue prison costs in opposition to Watson earlier this 12 months, the NFL has been investigating whether or not he violated its private conduct coverage since final 12 months. The NFL interviewed Watson over a number of days earlier this summer season. The league’s investigators additionally spoke to a number of of the ladies.

Watson has frequently denied all wrongdoing and mentioned he has no regrets for any of his actions in the course of the therapeutic massage periods. Watson additionally mentioned he cooperated with the NFL’s investigation and “answered each query in truth” that he was requested by the league’s investigators.

The Browns traded for Watson in March, sending three first-round draft picks to the Texans. Cleveland then gave Watson a brand new five-year contract price $230 million absolutely assured, the richest deal in NFL historical past for any participant.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski mentioned at the beginning of coaching camp final week that Jacoby Brissett would grow to be Cleveland’s starter within the occasion of a Watson suspension. By the primary week of camp, Watson took the vast majority of the snaps with the first-team offense, however Stefanski indicated the Browns “could alter” their plan within the wake of Robinson’s ruling.