Myles Garrett, a star pass rusher for the Cleveland Browns, has said that the Browns will not be negatively impacted by quarterback Deshaun Watson’s potential suspension during training camp.
Sue L. Robinson, a former federal judge and NFL disciplinary official, is still debating whether Watson broke the league’s personal conduct rules. 25 women have filed complaints against Watson alleging unwanted sexual behavior during massage sessions. After the judge decided the petition needed to be altered to include the plaintiff’s name, one of the 25 lawsuits was dismissed.
In June, Watson and 20 other plaintiffs reached a settlement in their legal disputes. Four lawsuits are still pending and scheduled for trial early in the next year.
During a three-day hearing in late June, Robinson heard arguments from the NFL, the NFLPA, and Watson’s counsel. Watson has maintained his innocence since two Texas grand juries decided not to press charges against him earlier this year, but the NFL argued that he should be subject to an indefinite ban of at least a full season.
In March, the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson in a deal with the Houston Texans for three first-round draft picks after a Houston grand jury decided not to charge him. Cleveland then offered Watson a new, fully guaranteed five-year contract worth $230 million.
Meanwhile, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday that Jacoby Brissett will start for Cleveland in the event that Deshaun Watson is suspended.