Despite looming meeting with NFL, Deshaun Watson faces unclear timeline on potential discipline
With Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson set to meet with NFL officials this week in Texas, some within the league believe investigators could be reaching the latter stages of the probe that has lasted more than a year.
Despite two Texas grand juries declining in March to bring charges against him, Watson still faces 22 civil lawsuits from women accusing him of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions for which he hired them.
It remains unclear when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would rule on a potential punishment, including a suspension, if Watson is ruled to have violated the league's personal conduct policy. Typically, however, league officials meet with players toward the end of their investigations. Depending on what Watson tells investigators, he could be the final person interviewed. But if they believe they need more clarity, officials could elect to revisit some of the subjects previously interviewed, multiple people familiar with the league’s practices told USA TODAY Sports. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were unauthorized to comment publicly on the matter.
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Some within the league expecta ruling on Watson’s status for the 2022 season to come sometime within the next month. Others, however, caution that it’s possible that the unresolved civil suits could complicate matters and delay a decision on Watson’s availability.
The acquired Watson from the Houston Texans in March, forking over a package of picks highlighted by three first-round selections, while awarding the quarterback a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. They did so without any assurances from the league that Watson would avoid disciplinary action.
The Browns and Watson hope to receive clarity on his availability before the start of training camp in late July so they could plan accordingly for the upcoming season.
The possibility remains that NFL officials opt to abstain from handing down a suspension before the completion of the legal process. If so, Watson could wind up playing the entire 2022 season before learning what punishment he would receive from the NFL.
Watson, 26, was once regarded as one of the NFL's brightest stars. He earned Pro Bowl honors in three consecutive seasons (2018-20) and led the league in passing yards in 2020. Watson helped the Texans reach the playoffs in 2018 and 2019, but after an exasperating 2020 campaign, he voiced his displeasure with Texans brass and demanded a trade. The same offseason, more than 20 different massage therapists accused Watson of sexual misconduct. As the grand jury and league investigations developed and the Texans refused to grant his trade requests, Watson sat out the entire 2021 season.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deshaun Watson faces unclear timeline on potential suspension decision
