Deshaun Watson is once again facing attention off the field.
The NFL announced on Tuesday that it is looking into a new civil lawsuit against the Cleveland Browns quarterback. The lawsuit involves an alleged sexual assault that reportedly occurred in 2020 while Watson was with the Houston Texans.
On Monday, a woman in Texas accused Watson of sexually assaulting her at her apartment four years ago. She alleges that Watson forced himself on her for several minutes and is seeking $1 million in damages, according to the lawsuit.
“We are reviewing the complaint and will investigate the situation under the personal conduct policy,” said league spokesperson Brian McCarthy. “We are not considering placing him on the commissioner’s exempt list at this time, as there are no formal charges and our review has just started.”
The commissioner’s exempt list allows Roger Goodell to place a player on paid leave while the league reviews his case or other unusual circumstances.
For example, Browns rookie defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. has been on the exempt list while his domestic violence charge is being resolved.
Watson, now in his third season with the Browns, was previously suspended for 11 games in 2022 after over two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior during massage sessions. He was also fined $5 million.
In 2022, Watson settled 23 of 24 civil lawsuits filed by the women before the league took disciplinary action.
It is unclear if Watson informed the league or the Browns about this new allegation before the lawsuit was filed in Harris County, Texas. The woman’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, also represented most of the other women in their claims against Watson.
The Browns, who traded five draft picks, including three first-round picks, to the Texans for Watson, released a statement saying:
“We will respect the due process provided by our legal system regarding the recent civil suit and follow the NFL’s guidelines on this issue.” Watson’s career with the Browns began with a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
The Browns’ plans for Deshaun Watson to be their long-term solution at quarterback have been disrupted by his legal troubles, a lengthy suspension, and a shoulder injury that kept him to just six starts last season.
Watson also has not met expectations in his 13 starts. The Browns made the playoffs last season after bringing in free agent Joe Flacco for the last month.
On Sunday, the 28-year-old Watson had a tough game in his first appearance since breaking a bone in his throwing shoulder in November and having surgery.
Watson, who did not play during the preseason, completed 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions in a 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He was sacked six times and took several hard hits.
Currently, Watson is expected to play this week when the Browns face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. He usually speaks to the media on Wednesdays during game week.
Watson’s poor performance against the Cowboys did not ease worries that the Browns made a mistake by signing him. He was also dealing with personal difficulties after the recent deaths of his biological father and a former Clemson teammate before the opener.
Despite these challenges, coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that he doesn’t think Watson has lost any confidence.
“Deshaun’s played at a very, very high level,” Stefanski said. “He’s won at every level of football. He does not lack for confidence.”
