Browns’ Deshaun Watson Not Expected to Go on Commissioner’s Exempt List Amid Lawsuit

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 10, 2024

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The NFL isn’t placing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list for now after a woman filed a civil lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and battery.

“We are reviewing the complaint and we will look into the matter under the Personal Conduct Policy,” the league said Tuesday.

CNN’s Ben Church and Wayne Sterling reported the plaintiff in the suit, identified as “Jane Doe,” alleged that Watson assaulted her in her apartment in 2020.

While playing for the Houston Texans, Watson was inactive for the entire 2021 season after dozens of women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct. He ultimately settled 23 of the 24 civil suits filed against him, and two grand juries declined to indict him on charges related to the suits.

Having let the legal process play out, the NFL suspended Watson for the first 11 games of the 2022 season and fined him $5 million. That delayed his debut for the Browns, who acquired him from the Texans and gave him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract with the suits ongoing.

The 28-year-old has made just 13 starts for Cleveland due to the suspension and a shoulder injury that sidelined him in 2023. His production has lagged well below what he did in Houston. He’s averaging 183.5 passing yards per game with 15 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 78.1 passer rating.

As a procedural matter, the commissioner’s exempt list is triggered by the commissioner alone and effectively puts an NFL player on paid leave. The player is prohibited from appearing in games but does maintain access to team facilities.

By avoiding the designation, Watson is on track to start in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.