Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has “strongly denied” the latest sexual assault allegations against him, according to his attorney. The statement was issued on Wednesday.
The allegations come from an unidentified woman who has filed a civil lawsuit in Houston, Texas, seeking $1 million (£764,000) in damages. The lawsuit alleges that the incident occurred during a date in October 2020.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski stated that Watson will participate in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. This follows Watson’s appearance in the season-opening game against the Dallas Cowboys. Stefanski mentioned that he was unaware of the allegations prior to the filing of the lawsuit and had not contemplated excluding Watson from the team.
Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, said in a statement on Wednesday, “Deshaun strongly denies the allegations,” and expressed confidence that Watson would be “ultimately vindicated.” Hardin added, “In the meantime, Deshaun is going to focus his energy and concentration on football.”
The NFL announced on Tuesday that it would review the new allegations against Watson. Watson was previously suspended for 11 games without pay and fined $5 million (£3.83 million) in August 2022 following an investigation into multiple sexual misconduct claims. Watson has consistently denied these claims. Two grand juries determined there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges, and Watson later reached confidential settlements with 23 of the 24 women involved in the 2022 cases.
Since joining the Browns from the Houston Texans in March 2022 on a five-year contract worth a then-record $230 million (£174.4 million), Watson has made 13 starts for the team.
