BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland is officially added Deshaun Watson on the list of 53 on Monday, clear the way for him brown debuted on Sunday against his old team, the Houston Texas.
Browns give up quarterback Joshua Dobbs in a corresponding move.
Watson was given an 11-game ban for violating the league’s personal conduct policy by committing sexual assault, as defined by the NFL, against massage therapists. He was also fined $5 million and had to undergo a mandatory treatment program.
Watson’s return on Sunday will mark exactly 700 days since he last played in a regular game of the season (against the Texas team on January 3, 2021).
Watson has been accused by more than two dozen women of sexual assault and other inappropriate sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Over the summer, he agreed to settle 23 of the 24 lawsuits brought against him. The plaintiff dropped the 25th case when the judge ruled that her petition must be amended in her name. Two other women filed criminal complaints against Watson but did not sue him. On October 13, another woman filed a lawsuit against Watson, alleging that he forced her to give her oral sex during a massage in 2020.
Two grand juries in Texas declined to pursue criminal charges against Watson earlier this year. Watson has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and says people are not interested in hearing his side of the story.
He has yet to speak publicly since his suspension was announced in August, although he is expected to speak later this week.
The Browns traded for Watson in March, sending the Texans three draft picks in the first round. Cleveland also signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million guaranteed contract, the richest contract in NFL history.
Watson has been practicing with the Browns since November 16 and has participated in team meetings and practices at the team’s training facility since October 10.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that the team is “excited” to see him play.
Stefanski said: “He has done his job well during his absence, still physically fit, mentally sharp. “I think he’ll be ready to roll.”
Cleveland is 4-7 after last Sunday’s overtime win Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
