The length of a Deshaun Watson suspension will be announced on Monday tomorrow, according to a report by Josina Anderson of CBS Sports. The ruling will reportedly be delivered at 9 A.M., according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.
Ruling on Deshaun Watson personal conduct policy case expected by roughly 9 a.m. Eastern, per a league source https://t.co/NXV1LBdo2D
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 31, 2022
Judge Sue Robinson has been mulling the decision for weeks, but it appears the wait is over. There is no certain timetable that Watson’s suspension could be. The NFL had previously recommended an indefinite or season-long suspension. Still, Watson and the NFLPA threatened to sue if that were to happen. On Sunday, the NFLPA released a statement relating to Watson’s impending suspension.
“In advance of Judge Robinson’s decision, we wanted to reiterate the facts of this proceeding,” the statement read. “First, we have fully cooperated with every NFL inquiry and provided the NFL with the most comprehensive set of information for any personal conduct policy investigation. A former federal judge – appointed jointly by the NFLPA and NFL – held a fair and full hearing, has read thousands of pages of investigative documents, and reviewed arguments from both sides impartially.”
They went on to continue the statement, which backed off the threat to sue. It states the NFLPA will respect the decision of Robinson, and calls for the NFL to do the exact same.
“Every player, owner, business partner, and stakeholder deserves to know that our process is legitimate and will not be tarnished based on the whims of the League office,” the statement continued. “This is why, regardless of her decision, Deshaun and the NFLPA will stand by her ruling and we call on the NFL to do the same.”
Back in June, Watson settled 20 of the 24 lawsuits that were against him. After that, two more women were still set to file suit against Watson. Still, the civil settlements of these cases by Watson are unlikely to have much of an effect on Robinson’s thinking in this case.
The Browns then signed Watson to a new five-year, $230 million contract that is structured in such a way as to minimize the potential salary impacts of Watson potentially serving a suspension in the 2022 season. So, the Browns have prepared for what is the theorized length of Watson’s suspension.
The NFL’s investigation into Watson has been active for over a year at this point. His hearing happened over a month ago. Needless to say, there has been plenty of time and thought put into all of this. The feeling in Browns building is reportedly that this suspension will come in between four and six games, according to Jeff Howe of the Athletic.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson is expected to be informed of his potential disciplinary ruling tomorrow, according to a source. The league has not tipped its hand on the ruling, but there's been a feeling in the Browns' building that it could be a suspension of 4-8 games.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) July 31, 2022
Deshaun Watson avoided criminal charges after a pair of Texas grand juries declined to indict him earlier this year.