Ken Blaze / USA TODAY Sports
It seems clarity is finally emerging on Deshaun Watson’s status for the upcoming 2022 season. The Cleveland Browns quarterback is expected to be notified Monday of Sue Robinson’s decision on a possible suspension. as reported by CBS Sports NFL insider Josina Anderson.
The NFL is reportedly pushing for an indefinite suspension that would last at least for the duration of the 2022 season. Watson faced 24 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct during massage sessions while with the Houston Texans. Since then he has chosen 20 of these suits. Watson, who has denied any wrongdoing, was indicted on no criminal charges by two Texas grand juries earlier this offseason.
If Robinson follows the NFL’s recommendation and imposes the year-long ban, Watson and the NFLPA will stand by their decision and don’t address.
If suspended, the league would likely find that Watson violated the league’s code of conduct. The NFL introduced the policy in 2007 to improve player behavior off the field. One of the most notable suspensions involved current Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott was suspended for six games in 2017, despite the NFL’s lead investigator in the case reportedly recommending that the suspension be left intact. With Elliott out, the Cowboys missed the playoffs a year after going 13-3.
With their quarterback status up in the air, the Browns recently signed former first-round pick Josh Rosen. The Browns’ depth chart also includes veterans Jacoby Brissett and Joshua Dobbs. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said last week that Watson and Brissett will get “a lot of reps” as the team progresses through the early stages of training camp. Stefanski did not address Watson’s current situation regarding a possible suspension.
“I don’t have much to add to Deshaun’s status,” Stefanski said of The Athletic’s Zac Jackson. “We have a plan and as information becomes available we can adjust that plan.”