Tag: Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson heads to the sideline during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Browns GM: Deshaun Watson experienced ‘setback’ with Achilles

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson experienced a post-surgery setback in his recovery from a ruptured Achilles, general manager Andrew Berry said Monday.

Berry was informed Sunday that Watson’s recovery went off track but he’s unclear whether the timeline for Watson’s return to the field has changed.

“Yesterday as we went through our normal player medical process, we did learn he did have a setback in his Achilles recovery. We don’t have all the details and everything yet, but it will obviously extend the recovery process for him,” Berry said.

Asked whether Watson could require another Achilles operation, Berry wasn’t definitive about the next steps.

“I don’t have all of those details,” Berry said Monday. “He did raise it to the doctors. I’m not trying to be evasive here. It’s all really new.”

The Browns reworked Watson’s contract last month to soften the salary cap hit for 2025 and have said they plan to address their QB position. Injuries have been a constant of Watson’s tenure in Cleveland since he signed a $230 million fully guaranteed contract.

Watson, 29, played seven games in 2024 and ended the season on injured reserve because of surgery for the second consecutive season. Watson played 12 total games in his first two seasons with the Browns (2022-23).

Cleveland started Bailey Zappe in Saturday’s loss at Baltimore and fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey after one season. Head coach Kevin Stefanski was noncommittal about his QB plans for 2024 and Berry again on Monday said the Browns were planning to pursue other quarterbacks before they learned of the latest Watson news.

“I wouldn’t say it has a significant impact,” Berry said.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) goes down with a non-contact injury to his lower leg in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field in downtown Cleveland on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024.

Report: Deshaun Watson, Browns agree to restructure contract

Posted on | by Field Level Media

In a move that hints at quarterback Deshaun Watson remaining with the Cleveland Browns next season, he and the club reportedly have agreed to restructure his contract.

Watson, who signed a fully guaranteed five-year deal worth $230 million when the Browns traded three first-round draft picks for him before the 2022 season, is still owed $46 million per season through 2026.

The restructure aids the team by adding two more void years to the contract, on top of two void years that were included initially. That lets the Browns extend his dead salary cap through the 2030 season, ESPN reported Friday.

Despite those void years, Watson would still be a free agent before the 2027 season.

After injuries and legal issues — which led to an 11-game suspension — sidelined Watson for the 2021 season and most of 2022, the three-time Pro Bowl selection has struggled mightily in Cleveland.

In 19 games, all as the starter, Watson has completed 61.2 percent of his passes, well below his average of 67.8 percent with Houston. He has thrown 19 touchdown passes but also 12 interceptions, also well below his Houston ratio of 104 scores to 36 picks.

Watson was lost for the season on Oct. 20 with a torn right Achilles tendon, the second straight year that an injury cut his season short. He missed the final eight games of 2023 due to shoulder surgery.

The Browns finished second in the AFC North and made the playoffs last season, ending a run of 15 straight seasons either third or fourth in the division. They are 3-12 this season and again in last place in the division.

–Field Level Media

Browns QB Deshaun Watson throws as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons closes in during the first half, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Cleveland.

NFL closes latest investigation of Deshaun Watson

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The latest NFL investigation into an alleged sexual assault by Deshaun Watson was concluded with no action taken against the Cleveland Browns quarterback.

A league spokesperson informed multiple media outlets on Friday, “There was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.”

Watson’s lawyer Rusty Hardin responded to the news, telling the Washington Post, “We are delighted to put this issue behind us so that Deshaun can concentrate on recovering from his injury and preparing for next season.”

In September, a woman filed suit against Watson, alleging she was the victim of a sexual assault in October 2020. The case was settled a month later, the woman’s lawyer announced.

The latest allegation dated back to Watson’s time with the Houston Texans, where he was dogged by accusations of sexual assault and misconduct. In all, 24 civil lawsuits were filed against Watson, who settled 23 of them.

In response to those suits, the NFL suspended Watson for the first 11 games of the 2022 season and fined him $5 million under its personal conduct policy. That was Watson’s first year with the Browns, who acquired him in a trade with the Texans and gave the quarterback a deal that featured a then-NFL-record guaranteed $230 million.

This year, Watson led the Browns to a 1-6 record before tearing his right Achilles tendon on Oct. 20 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He is out for the remainder of the season but is still set to make $46 million in both 2025 and 2026.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, center, poses for a portrait with general manager Andrew Berry, left, and head coach Kevin Stefanski during Watson's introductory press conference at the Cleveland Browns Training Facility on Friday. Watsonpress 11 Syndication Akron Beacon Journal

Browns GM has lukewarm response on Deshaun Watson’s future

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry was noncommittal Wednesday when asked about quarterback Deshaun Watson’s future with the franchise.

When asked if Watson — who sustained a season-ending Achilles tear on Oct. 20 — will suit up for the team again, Berry said: “That’s always possible.”

That’s not exactly a verbal embrace for Watson, who has put up less-than-stellar numbers since signing his five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract.

The earliest the Browns can release him without losing salary cap space is following the 2025 season. That said, Berry wasn’t interested in going down that road just yet.

“Really our focus with Deshaun, I would say for any player with a season-ending injury and a major injury, is first and foremost to make sure that he gets healthy from the Achilles injury,” Berry said. “Everything else, we’ll deal with at a later moment.”

Berry also wasn’t interested in expressing regret with the Browns acquiring Watson back in 2022.

“I’d say this, like we’ve always said, all of us were on board,” Berry said. “Everyone’s on board, and obviously with a big commitment in that regard, that’s always going to be the case.”

Watson saw his season come to an end on a non-contact play in Cleveland’s 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Watson, 29, was suspended for 11 games in 2022 after more than 20 women claimed he sexually assaulted them and behaved inappropriately while getting massages. Two grand juries in Texas did not end up charging him criminally, but a settlement reached by the NFL and NFL Players Association in his disciplinary matter led to the hefty suspension.

Before returning to the field, Watson had to pay a $5 million fine and go through a treatment program that was recommended by behavioral experts.

Watson completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in seven games this season. The Browns went 1-6 during that stretch and are 2-7 while in the midst of their bye week.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) lies on the ground after being injured during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Report: Deshaun Watson mulling Achilles surgery options

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will soon undergo surgery on the ruptured Achilles he suffered on Sunday, and the signal caller is mulling two surgical options, Cleveland.com reported Monday.

Watson sustained the injury on a non-contact play during Sunday’s 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Watson is deciding between conventional surgery and the “speed bridge” procedure that New York Jets quarter Aaron Rodgers underwent last year, per the report. Rodgers was able to return about four months sooner than with the conventional surgery.

Further, primary backup QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson is also awaiting MRI results on the middle finger of his throwing hand, which he injured after replacing Watson in Sunday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. X-ray results were negative, and MRI results were forthcoming, per reports Monday morning.

On a running play late in the second quarter Sunday, Watson’s right knee buckled, causing the three-time Pro Bowl selection to fall to the ground in obvious pain. Once he was loaded into the back of the cart, Watson, with a towel over his head, was visibly emotional as he was brought back to the locker room.

Before the injury, Watson was 15-of-17 passing for 128 yards against the Bengals. Watson, 29, entered Sunday with 1,020 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions through six games (all starts) this season.

In his third season with Cleveland after four seasons with Houston, Watson entered Sunday’s start having thrown for 17,776 yards, 123 touchdowns and 48 interceptions in 72 games (71 starts) since entering the league in 2017 as the Texans’ first-round pick (No. 12 overall).

Thompson-Robinson, a 2023 fifth-round pick by Cleveland, took over for Watson in his first appearance in 2024. Thompson-Robinson, 24, played in eight games (three starts) last year, completing just 60 of 112 passes for 440 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Browns QB DeShaun Watson tears Achilles, reportedly out for season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson suffered an Achilles injury on a non-contact play during Sunday’s game, the team announced, and will reportedly miss the rest of the season.

Former longtime NFL team doctor David J. Chao posted on X that Watson would need season-ending surgery after he suffered a right Achilles tendon rupture, calling the injury a “telltale calf reverberation.”

On a running play late in the second quarter against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals, Watson’s right knee buckled, causing the three-time Pro Bowl selection to fall to the ground in obvious pain. Once he was loaded into the back of the cart, Watson, with a towel over his head, was visibly emotional as he was brought back to the locker room.

Before the injury, Watson was 15-of-17 passing for 128 yards against the Bengals. Watson, 29, entered Sunday with 1,020 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions through six games (all starts) this season.

In his third season with Cleveland after four seasons with Houston, Watson entered Sunday’s start having thrown for 17,776 yards, 123 touchdowns and 48 interceptions in 72 games (71 starts) since entering the league in 2017 as the Texans’ first-round pick (No. 12 overall).

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a 2023 fifth-round pick by Cleveland, took over Watson in his first appearance in 2024. Thompson-Robinson, 24, played in eight games (three starts) last year, completing just 60 of 112 passes for 440 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.

Jameis Winston is the Browns’ emergency quarterback and would only play if Thompson-Robinson was ruled out of Sunday’s game with an injury.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) waits for a play during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at NorthWest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Sexual assault suit against Browns QB Deshaun Watson resolved

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Deshaun Watson and an anonymous woman reached a settlement in a case that accused the Cleveland Browns quarterback of sexual assault and battery.

“We have now resolved our client’s claim with Deshaun Watson,” attorney Tony Buzbee told multiple media outlets in a statement. “The settlement is confidential.”

Buzbee was representing the woman, known as “Jane Doe” in the court filing. Rusty Hardin, Watson’s attorney, also confirmed that the sides reached an agreement, according to ESPN.

The woman filed the suit in Harris County, Texas, on Sept. 9, alleging that Watson sexually assaulted her at her apartment before the two were supposed to have dinner together back in October 2020. According to the lawsuit, the woman grabbed a heavy object for self-defense following the assault before Watson “stormed out of Jane Doe’s apartment.”

Watson was playing for the Houston Texans at the time.

Hardin released a statement in which Watson denied the woman’s claims. Although the NFL was looking into the allegations under the personal conduct policy, it had not put Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list because there were no formal charges brought forth against Watson.

The NFL declined to comment on the settlement on Monday night, per ESPN.

Watson was suspended for 11 games in 2022 after more than 20 women claimed he sexually assaulted them and behaved inappropriately while getting massages. Two grand juries in Texas did not end up charging him criminally, but a settlement reached by the NFL and NFL Players Association in his disciplinary matter led to the hefty suspension.

Before returning to the field, Watson had to pay a $5 million fine and go through a treatment program that was recommended by behavioral experts.

Twenty-three of the 24 lawsuits filed against Watson ended up getting settled.

Even with the most recent allegations, Watson, 29, continued to start under center for Cleveland. He has completed 60.2 percent of his passes for 852 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in five games this season. The Browns are 1-4.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and quarterback Jameis Winston (5) stand on the sideline during the fourth quarter of the game against the Washington Commanders at NorthWest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Browns’ Kevin Stefanski: ‘We’re not changing QBs’

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The Cleveland Browns endured another dreadful offensive performance on Sunday in losing their third straight game, a 34-13 bludgeoning at the hands of the Washington Commanders.

But head coach Kevin Stefanski isn’t yet entertaining the notion of a quarterback switch.

“We’re not changing quarterbacks,” Stefanski said following the loss. “We need to play better. I need to coach better.”

The Browns (1-4) gained just 212 yards in failing to break 20 points for the fifth time in as many games.

Starting quarterback Deshaun Watson was sacked seven times, lost a fumble and managed just 125 yards through the air, throwing one garbage-time touchdown with his team trailing 34-6. Backup Jameis Winston came in briefly and completed his only pass for 16 yards.

Watson’s 74.8 passer rating this season is among the worst marks in the league, while the Browns as a team have failed to reach 300 total yards in any game this season.

“The offense is going to go as far as I go,” Watson said. “So, at the end of the day, we’re not doing enough offensively.”

During Watson’s time with the Houston Texas, he faced 24 claims of sexual misconduct from women, stemming from massage sessions. All but one of the cases were settled out of court, with the last one still pending. The NFL suspended him for the first 11 games of the 2022 season and fined him $5 million.

Watson was the recipient of new allegations last month, but hasn’t faced any disciplinary action as a result.

In 2022, he signed an NFL-record $230 million fully guaranteed deal with the Browns after the franchise traded for the troubled quarterback, with Cleveland restructuring that deal this offseason. Watson, 29, now has cap hits of $72.9 million in the 2025 and 2026 seasons, with $172 million and $99 million in dead cap hits in those years.

Next week, the Browns have a road trip to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) closes in during the first half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Deshaun Watson’s accuser plans to meet with NFL

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A woman suing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson intends to cooperate with the NFL as it reviews her allegations of sexual assault and battery, her attorney told ESPN.

The unidentified woman filed the civil lawsuit in Harris County, Texas, on Monday. She alleges that Watson assaulted her on a dinner date at her apartment in October 2020 when he played for the Houston Texans.

“We will be scheduling a meeting with the NFL and hope that can be accomplished in the next two weeks,” attorney Tony Buzbee wrote in an email to ESPN. “We have a video and two additional witnesses for the NFL to speak with. I’ve personally never had confidence in the NFL’s disciplinary process but my client has chosen to engage it.”

Buzbee represented two dozen other women who filed sexual misconduct lawsuits against Watson, which reportedly occurred during massage sessions. He settled 23 of the cases out of court.

The NFL is reviewing the most recent complaint to see if Watson violated its personal conduct policy. He has not been put on the commissioner’s exempt list since the investigation is only in the early stages, and Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson will start against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Watson, who turns 29 on Saturday, issued a statement through his attorney, denying the woman’s claims.

This lawsuit is the latest legal trouble for Watson. In 2021, he sat out the season as allegations of sexual misconduct emerged with the first lawsuit filed against him in March.

After the Texans traded him to the Browns in a blockbuster deal, Watson served an 11-game suspension in the 2022 season and was fined $5 million.

The Browns signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million contract extension — fully guaranteed.

The suspension and injuries have limited Watson to just 13 starts over two-plus seasons in Cleveland.

With the Browns, he has completed 59.1 percent of his passes for 2,386 yards with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas (30) tackles Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Browns QB Deshaun Watson ‘strongly denies’ latest accusation

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Deshaun Watson “strongly denies” allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in the Houston area nearly four years ago, his attorney said Wednesday.

The unidentified woman filed a civil lawsuit against the Cleveland Browns quarterback on Monday in Harris County, Texas, seeking $1 million in damages, claiming that he committed sexual assault and battery ahead of a dinner date at her apartment in October 2020.

Meanwhile, the NFL said Tuesday it is reviewing the allegations and any potential violations of the league’s personal conduct policy, and the Browns said they would follow the league’s guidelines.

On Wednesday, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson will play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He said he knew nothing about the new allegations prior to the woman’s lawsuit and that he didn’t consider sitting Watson.

“We are 100 percent focused on Jacksonville, 100 percent focused on going on the road against a good football team, trying to find a way to get a W,” Stefanski said.

Still, in the background, is the Watson issue.

In a statement issued Wednesday, attorney Rusty Hardin said the allegations of sexual assault and battery were inaccurate.

“Deshaun strongly denies the allegations in the Jane Doe lawsuit filed Monday,” Hardin said in his statement. “We have asked him not to comment further while this matter works its way through the courts, but are comfortable he will ultimately be vindicated.”

Hardin concluded his statement by saying: “In the meantime, Deshaun is going to focus his energy and concentration on football.”

This lawsuit is the latest in a series of allegations against Watson. In 2021, Watson sat out the season as allegations of sexual misconduct emerged with the first lawsuit filed against him in March. In all, more than two dozen women came forward to accuse him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct that occurred while he was getting massages.

In this latest case, the woman alleges unwanted sexual intercourse took place. The suit states that the woman had invited Watson to dinner at her home, where she found him in her bedroom “completely naked on her bed, lying face down on his stomach.” She alleged he “partially disrobed (her) and penetrated her vagina without consent, implicit or explicit.” After being sexually assaulted for “several minutes,” the woman was able to break free from Watson, and she grabbed a heavy object to protect herself, she said.

Tony Buzbee, the attorney for the current and other plaintiffs, issued his own statement Wednesday.

“We knew this case was the most serious and egregious case brought against Watson to date and our client, who is rightly traumatized by these events, wanted to attempt a private resolution,” Buzbee said. “We thought this was the best approach given the media storm that occurred surrounding the legion of other claims. Unfortunately, Watson’s team or maybe his lawyers couldn’t or wouldn’t give this case the attention it was due. Mr. Hardin now has tried to contact us since we filed suit. Unfortunately, we see that now as too little, too late.”

Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season, after he was traded to Cleveland. Criminal charges were never filed against Watson, who by the summer of 2022 had reached settlements in 23 civil lawsuits that he was facing.

Watson, who turns 29 on Saturday, was traded to the Browns in March 2022. He started under center in Cleveland’s season-opening, 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, completing 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

–Field Level Media