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BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson stays on observe to start out Dec. 4 when his suspension ends, Browns common supervisor Andrew Berry mentioned Wednesday.
Watson continues to serve an 11-game suspension for violating the NFL’s private conduct coverage by committing sexual assault on therapeutic massage therapists, as outlined by the NFL.
Watson cannot start practising till Nov. 14. However he’ll be eligible to play in Week 13, when the Browns journey to face his former group, the Houston Texans.
Since Oct. 10, Watson has been allowed to take part in group conferences, meet individually with coaches and work out on the Browns’ coaching facility.
“It has been nice to have him again within the constructing,” Berry mentioned. “He is been centered on engaged on himself, he is stayed in nice form, he is been part of the conferences. He is executed all the things and extra that is been requested of him. We’ll be excited to have him when he can proceed to ramp up soccer actions and get again on the follow subject.”
On Aug. 18, the NFL and NFL Gamers Affiliation reached a settlement on Watson’s 11-game suspension, after he was accused by greater than two dozen ladies of sexual assault and inappropriate sexual misconduct throughout therapeutic massage periods. Watson was fined $5 million and has needed to endure a compulsory therapy program, as properly. Watson additionally was banned from the group’s amenities from Aug. 30 to Oct. 10.
Over the summer time, Watson agreed to settle 23 of the 24 lawsuits towards him. Two different ladies filed felony complaints towards Watson however didn’t sue him.
Two grand juries in Texas declined to pursue felony costs towards Watson earlier this yr. However Sue L. Robinson, an impartial arbiter collectively appointed by the league and gamers’ union, discovered that “the NFL carried its burden to show, by a preponderance of the proof, that Mr. Watson engaged in sexual assault.” Robinson additionally concluded in her report that Watson’s conduct was each “egregious” and “predatory.”
Watson has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. He has but to do an interview since reentering the group’s coaching facility.
On Oct. 13, one other lady filed a civil lawsuit towards Watson, claiming he pressured her into oral intercourse throughout a therapeutic massage session in 2020. Two weeks later, Watson’s attorneys filed a sequence of court docket reveals as proof to undermine the allegation.
“Like we have mentioned from the start, [with] the authorized scenario with Deshaun, you perceive that is obtained to run its course,” Berry mentioned, “and we’ll clearly let Deshaun’s authorized group converse for that.”
The Browns are simply 3-5 headed into their bye, although are coming off a powerful 32-13 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night time.
Regardless of the shedding file, Watson’s alternative Jacoby Brissett has shined, posting the eighth-best QBR (60.7) within the NFL so far.
Berry mentioned that Brissett “has been all the things that we had hoped after we signed him” and that Cleveland’s focus till Watson returns would stay on “getting Jacoby able to play.”
Watson hasn’t performed in a regular-season sport since 2020, sitting out all of final yr in Houston whereas ready for a commerce. He did play the primary quarter in Cleveland’s preseason opener in Jacksonville, however accomplished simply 1 of 5 passes for seven yards. Berry admitted that whereas Watson obtained loads of snaps with the group throughout the offseason and in coaching camp, it might take time to shake off the rust – at the same time as Cleveland hopes to make a push for the playoffs with him behind middle.
“Our strategy is not to, actually any quarterback, however actually with the time Deshaun has had off, count on him to shoulder all the things,” Berry mentioned. “That is not how the group is designed or put collectively. And I do not suppose that might be a good ask for any quarterback.”
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