A woman who has accused Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault could potentially meet with the NFL within the next two weeks as part of the league’s investigation into his off-field conduct, as per her lawyer on Thursday. The woman, known as “Jane Doe,” filed a civil lawsuit in Houston earlier this week alleging sexual assault and battery by Watson during a dinner date at her apartment in 2020.
Attorney Tony Buzbee, who is representing the woman along with two dozen other women in similar suits against Watson, mentioned that they have additional evidence in the form of a video and two more witnesses to support the claims in the lawsuit. Watson, who was suspended for 11 games at the start of the 2022 season due to prior allegations, could potentially face further consequences if found to have not disclosed this incident during previous inquiries by the league.
Despite the serious nature of the latest accusations, the Cleveland Browns have expressed their support for Watson, confirming that he will start in the upcoming game against Jacksonville. Coach Kevin Stefanski stated that benching Watson was not under consideration. Watson, on his part, denied the allegations made by the woman and expressed surprise at the lawsuit brought against him.
Looking ahead, Watson is expected to engage with the league’s investigators regarding the claims. He mentioned that he has not dwelled on the possibility of facing another suspension, highlighting that his current focus is on preparing for the upcoming game and being the best quarterback for his team. Watson’s career has faced challenges, including a season-ending injury in 2023, limiting him to just 13 starts over three seasons.
The Browns made a significant trade with the Texans for Watson, offering three first-round picks, after he initially rejected their proposal but later accepted a lucrative five-year, $230 million contract. While the legal and ethical issues surrounding Watson’s conduct continue to unfold, the quarterback remains focused on his performance on the field while the NFL conducts its investigation into the matter.
