Deshaun Watson could make Cleveland Browns debut in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens
The Browns on Monday learned that quarterback Deshaun Watson will miss the first six games of the 2022 season, unless an appeal is filed by either Watson or the NFL.
The decision by an independent arbitrator, former federal Judge Sue Robinson, ended months of speculation on how many games the former Pro Bowl quarterback would miss after he was accused by more than two dozen women of sexual misconduct. Earlier this year, two grand juries in Texas decided not to press charges.
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The first grand jury decision caused Watson's trade market to heat up and he eventually, after wavering, chose to be traded to Cleveland. The Browns then gave him the largest contract in NFL history. Months later, Watson settled 23 of the 24 civil suits against him.
And now after a month of waiting on Robinson's decision, Watson knows when he'll make his official Browns debut.
Cleveland Browns face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7
Unless there is an appeal by the either Watson, which seems unlikely based on a statement released by the NFLPA, or by the NFL, Watson will likely make his debut on Oct. 23, Week 7 of the NFL season, against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens are considered a favorites to win the AFC North, along with the Browns' Week 8 opponent, the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.
2022 Week 7 another chapter in Browns and Ravens rivalry
The last time the Cleveland Browns won a division title was before the team moved to Baltimore and the Browns returned in 1999. Watson, a former star quarterback at Clemson who became one of the best quarterbacks in the league with the Houston Texans, was given the most guaranteed money in NFL history in hopes of changing that.
Since the Browns returned in 1999, the Ravens have been one of the origination's most bitter rivals. It's been a rather one-sided rivalry, though. The Ravens, one of the NFL's most consistent organizations, are 34-12 against the Browns.
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After Week 7, the Browns will need Deshaun Watson
After they play Baltimore, three of the Browns' next four opponents were playoff teams in 2021. The Bengals travel to Cleveland in Week 8, then there's a bye week.
Following the bye, Cleveland travels to Miami, then to Buffalo and then hosts Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Browns will play Watson's former team, the Houston Texans in Week 13.
Who will Jacoby Brissett face as the Browns starting quarterback?
The indication is that Jacoby Brissett will start the first six games of the season for the Browns. In those first six games, the Browns play two teams that made the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots and have two road games against two of the worst teams in the NFL in 2021, the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons.
Four of the six games are in Cleveland, including against one of the AFC favorites the San Diego Chargers.
Brissett is 14-23 as a starting quarterback since 2016. He was the Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback in 2017 and parts of 2019. He also started five games for the Miami Dolphins in 2021.
The Cleveland Browns 2022 NFL schedule
Week 1: at Carolina Panthers
Week 2: New York Jets
Week 3: Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 4: at Atlanta Falcons
Week 5: Los Angeles Chargers
Week 6: New England Patriots
Week 7: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 8: Cincinnati Bengals
Week 9: Bye
Week 10: at Miami Dolphins
Week 11: at Buffalo Bills
Week 12: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 13: at Houston Texans
Week 14: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 15: Baltimore Ravens
Week 16: New Orleans Saints
Week 17: Washington Commanders
Week 18: at Pittsburgh Steelers
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Deshaun Watson, Browns, to face Baltimore Ravens in Week 7
