Watson would challenge season-long suspension in court

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns' Deshaun Watson, NFLPA would challenge season-long suspension in court

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/18/22

The NFL and NFL Players Association were scheduled to submit written post-hearing briefs to disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson last Tuesday in the matter involving Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.

It's been known since the second half of June that the NFL reportedly requested that Watson be suspended indefinitely and made ineligible to play for at least the 2022 season. The NFLPA, meanwhile, campaigned against the 26-year-old receiving any ban.

It appears the union is already preparing for a fight just in case.

According to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, the NFLPA and Watson's camp will sue in federal court if the signal-caller receives a full-season suspension either from Judge Robinson's ruling or following an appeal:

Another note: If Watson ends up incurring the full-year suspension the #NFL is seeking - either from the arbitrator or a league appeal of Robinson’s decision - I’m told his camp and the @NFLPA have already made the decision to file a lawsuit against the league in federal court. https://t.co/KdwXJjhBz3
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) July 18, 2022

For a piece published earlier on Monday, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk speculated that Judge Robinson's decision could come either this Friday as a "news dump" release made before the weekend or next Monday. Charles Robinson tweeted that the retired federal judge may also be waiting to see if the league and Watson's side can reach some sort of settlement:

Sources in the Watson case believe arbitrator Sue Robinson’s decision could bump up against - or even overlap - with the first few days of #Browns camp. One opinion offered on the timeline is that she may be taking her time to give the league and Watson another shot at settling. https://t.co/PIoleTujc9
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) July 18, 2022

Watson has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and had two grand juries decline to indict him. It was reported last month that his legal team reached settlements with 20 of 24 women suing him over the misconduct allegations.

The Browns have backup Jacoby Brissett preparing to temporarily replace Watson atop the depth chart in September, if necessary.

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