The NFL has concluded its investigation into the sexual assault accusations made against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson in September. A league spokesperson informed ESPN about this development.
The spokesperson said there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.
Shortly after the Browns’ season opener, a new lawsuit was filed against Watson, alleging sexual assault and battery. By October, attorneys from both sides confirmed to ESPN that the case had been resolved through a confidential settlement. Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented the woman in the lawsuit, shared the news with ESPN.
The lawsuit, filed on September 9 in Harris County, Texas, detailed the alleged incident from October 2020. The accusation stated that Watson’s actions took place before a planned dinner at the woman’s apartment. At the time of the incident, Watson was still playing for the Houston Texans.
Watson denied the allegations in a statement issued by his attorney, Rusty Hardin. The NFL had been reviewing the complaint under the personal conduct policy, but the league did not place Watson on the commissioner exempt list because there have been no formal charges filed and the review had just begun.
Watson, 29, served an 11-game suspension in 2022 after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions. A pair of Texas grand juries declined to pursue criminal charges against him, but he served his suspension after the NFL and the NFL Players Association reached a settlement in his disciplinary matter.
He also was required to pay a fine of $5 million and undergo mandatory evaluation by behavioral experts and follow their suggested treatment program before being reinstated by the league.
Watson settled 23 of the 24 lawsuits filed against him in summer 2022.
The lawsuit filed in September was unrelated to the two remaining active lawsuits (one from summer 2022 plus another filed that October) from women who accused Watson of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.
Watson started seven games this season before sustaining a season-ending right Achilles tendon tear in Week 7. He has posted the lowest total QBR in the NFL.
Copyright © 2024 ESPN Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.
