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Deshaun Watson Faces New $1 Million Sexual Assault Lawsuit, NFL Investigating, Will Start Against Jaguars

Sep 11, 2024, 04:00 PM

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is facing a new lawsuit filed by a woman in Texas, accusing him of sexual assault, including forcible penetration, and emotional distress stemming from an incident in October 2020. The lawsuit, filed in Harris County, seeks $1 million in damages. This follows previous settlements with over two dozen women who accused Watson of sexual misconduct. The NFL is reviewing the complaint to determine if Watson violated the league's Personal Conduct Policy. Despite the ongoing investigation, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Watson will start in the upcoming game against the Jaguars. Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, stated that Watson 'strongly denies the allegations' and expressed confidence that Watson will be vindicated. The Browns have declined to comment further, stating they will respect the legal process. Watson had previously reached a settlement with the NFLPA regarding punishment for earlier allegations, which did not preclude further punishments for new allegations.