The NFL announced on Tuesday that it is investigating a new civil lawsuit filed against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson to determine whether he breached the league’s personal conduct policy.
The lawsuit, filed on Monday in Harris County, Texas, accuses Watson of sexual assault in 2020, during his tenure with the Houston Texans. The plaintiff claims Watson sexually assaulted her at her apartment four years ago.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy stated, “We are reviewing the complaint and we will look into the matter under the personal conduct policy.” He added, “Not looking at commissioner’s exempt list as there’s been no formal charges and the league’s review has just begun.”
In 2022, Watson was suspended for 11 games and fined $5 million following allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct by over two dozen women during massage therapy sessions.
The Cleveland Browns, who acquired Watson in 2022 by trading five draft picks, released a statement saying, “We will respect the due process our legal system affords regarding the recently filed civil suit and follow the NFL’s guidelines on this matter.”
Watson’s time with the Browns has been marred by legal issues, a suspension, and a shoulder injury that limited him to six starts last season. This past Sunday, Watson returned to play his first game since undergoing shoulder surgery in November. He completed 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions, in a 33-17 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys, who sacked him six times.
The Browns are scheduled to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars this week.
