Deshaun Watson will start for Cleveland Browns vs. the Jaguars in Friday's preseason game

Garry Smits, Florida Times-Union
·2 min read
4
The Cleveland Browns will start Deshaun Watson at quarterback on Friday in a preseason game against the Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field.
The Cleveland Browns will start Deshaun Watson at quarterback on Friday in a preseason game against the Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Barring any action on the NFL's appeal of six-game regular season suspension, embattled Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will start Friday against the Jaguars for a preseason game at TIAA Bank Field (7 p.m., FOX).

The Browns announced on their website that most of their starters would see some playing time, and specifically mentioned Watson.

Watson has a 6-1 record against the Jaguars in regular-season games while with the Houston Texans from 2017-2020. The only game the Texans lost with Watson behind center was the opening game of his rookie season, when he was sacked four times and threw for only 102 yards in a 29-7 loss to the Jags in Houston.

Watson was handed his suspension by NFL disciplinary officer Sue. L Robinson earlier this month. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is seeking a year-long suspension, including preseason games, calling Watson's behavior with massage therapists in Houston "egregious" and "predatory behavior."

Jaguars vs. Browns: Doug Pederson has a long wish list a month before season opener

Jaguars vs. Browns: How to watch, what to expect in first of two home preseason games

Jaguars players including Dawaune Smoot (94) and DaVon Hamilton (52) and Myles Jack (44) surround Deshaun Watson after a sack during a 2020 game at TIAA Bank Field.
Jaguars players including Dawaune Smoot (94) and DaVon Hamilton (52) and Myles Jack (44) surround Deshaun Watson after a sack during a 2020 game at TIAA Bank Field.

Goodell appointed Peter C. Harvey, a former New Jersey attorney general, to hear the appeal of Watson's suspension. It could come as early as Friday, before the game.

Robinson said in her report that the NFL "carried its burden to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Mr. Watson engaged in sexual assault (as defined by the NFL) against the four therapists identified in the Report."

Her report further said that Watson's conduct was "a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person and conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL."

Watson has been accused of sexual assault during massage sessions by 25 women in civil lawsuits. Watson has settled 23 of the suits.

Grand juries in two Texas counties have declined to indict Watson.

Watson has thrown for 1,475 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions in seven games against the Jaguars, for a passer rating of 93.41. He also has rushed for 212 yards and two scores. He last played an NFL game in 2020 and sat out the entire 2021 season while the accusations against him were being investigated.

Jaguars move on DL

The Jaguars defensive lineman Auzoyah Alufohai on Wednesday and waived/injured lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter.

Alufohai has spent time with the Texans, Packers and Bears, and played in three regular-season games with Houston in 2020. He played at West Georgia and Kennesaw State.

Contact Garry Smits at gsmits@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Deshaun Watson news: Browns QB will play against the Jaguars