Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has reached a settlement in the latest civil lawsuit filed against him, in which a woman accused him of sexual assault and battery.
Tony Buzbee, the plaintiff’s attorney, informed The Associated Press on Monday evening that the claim was settled confidentially. This lawsuit was filed on September 9, 2024, in Harris County, Texas. The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, alleged that Watson sexually assaulted her in 2020 during a dinner date at her apartment. She sought damages exceeding $1 million.
Buzbee had previously mentioned the possibility of having his client testify before the NFL, which had launched an investigation into the allegations against Watson. However, it is currently unclear whether the league will impose additional disciplinary measures on the quarterback. A spokesperson for the NFL declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the AP.
In 2022, Watson was suspended for 11 games after violating the league’s personal conduct policy. More than 20 women had accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior during massage sessions. In addition to the suspension, Watson was fined $5 million and required to undergo mandatory evaluations before he was reinstated.
Watson, who joined the Browns in a controversial trade from the Houston Texans, has denied all allegations against him. This marks another lawsuit in a series of civil cases against the 29-year-old quarterback, who had previously settled nearly two dozen other lawsuits.
On the field, Watson’s time with the Browns has not unfolded as expected. After signing a $230 million contract, his 2022 season was cut short by a shoulder injury that required surgery. This season, Watson has struggled to adapt to Cleveland’s new offense and has yet to throw for more than 200 yards in a game. Following the team’s loss to Washington, head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked if he planned to bench Watson, but Stefanski affirmed his commitment to the quarterback during a Zoom call on Monday.
