The NFL has made its initial thoughts known on Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's latest legal issue. On Monday, Watson was sued by "Jane Doe" for alleged sexual assault and battery from an October 10, 2020 date with the then Houston Texans quarterback.
Tom Pelissero is reporting that the NFL will not put Watson on the Commissioner's Exempt List at this time. The rationale behind the decision is that no criminal charges are filed, and the league is beginning its review of the case.
An NFL PR person told Pelissero: "We are reviewing the complaint and we will look into the matter under the Personal Conduct Policy."
ProFootballTalk broke the news of the Watson civil suit yesterday. PFT also hinted at the possibility that the Browns may be able to void Watson's contract.
PFT referenced Paragraph 42 of the Watson contract with the Browns which said: “Player hereby represents and warrants (except as otherwise disclosed to club in writing), as of the date hereof, that (1) Player has not been charged with, indicted for, convicted of or pled nolo contendre to any felony and/or misdemeanor involving fraud or moral turpitude, (ii) Player has not engaged in conduct which could subject him to a charge, indictment or conviction of any such offense, and (iii) no circumstances exist that would prevent Player’s continuing availability to the Club for duration of this Contract.”
The outstanding question that only the Browns and Watson know as of now is if Watson told the Browns about this incident. No one can predict how this situation seemingly coming out of nowhere will be resolved. Some Browns fans have already been pleading with the team to get Joe Flacco back amid a lackluster performance from Watson in Week 1.
