Two grand juries have returned no indictments Deshaun Watson with any crimes, but the Browns’ new quarterback still faces 22 civil lawsuits that will subject him to disciplinary action. Commissioner Roger Goodell said today there is no timeline for a possible discipline of the QB but he has kept the door open to a suspension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Meanwhile, ProFootballTalk.com’s Charean Williams shares that Watson will only be suspended under the Personal Conduct Policy, meaning the QB will not end up on the Commissioner Exempt List.
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“The civil cases have been in play for the past year,” Goodell said (via Williams). “The only thing that has changed is that the criminal element has at least been resolved and that was an important element in relation to the Commissioner Exempt List as discussed with the Players Association. So that was an important[Commissioner Exempt List decision].
“If the criminal had acted, it would most likely have triggered the commissioner exempt. I think at this point the civil process in and of itself would not do that. If there is a violation of the Personal Conduct Policy, that can trigger something, but that will most likely trigger some kind of disciplinary action in some way.”
Watson still faces 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault. We’ve previously heard that the NFL is unlikely to act on a Watson suspension until his civil trials are complete. The League’s investigation is ongoing. Pending a suspension, the Browns previously reduced Watson’s 2022 base salary to $1 million, which will significantly limit the financial penalties the quarterback will face if/once the NFL’s ban is imposed.