Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson looked a bit “jittery” and Watson himself said he was feeling “every bit” of the nearly 700-day layoff between competitive games. Of course, the Browns expect that will change. Cleveland still managed a 27-14 win, propelled by defense and special teams, but the quarterback play looked worse than what backup Jacoby Brissett was providing for much of the season. He looked lethargic and lost much of the day, skipping passes or sailing them on the way to an unremarkable 131 passing yards and one interception. He hasn’t thrown the ball what, like 700 days? to see if he still has it.”Īs far as Sunday went, Watson likely hasn’t answered that football question. “I mean, they settled, so I don’t know if he’s guilty or not guilty. “I’m still a Deshaun Watson fan, besides what he did off the field,” Justin Coy said, adding that he’d driven to the game from Austin. ![]() One fan who wore a Texans jersey had taped over Watson’s original nameplate with the word “Weirdo.” Even that was less a criticism than a joke. ![]() (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)Įven in the cases where the jerseys might have been worn in an ironic manner, the message seemed to be mostly toothless. But the Browns have some pressing concerns with him after his debut. The circus failed to materialize around Deshaun Watson's return from an 11-game suspension for over two dozen women filing civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault or misconduct. A great many others adorned a strong contingent of Browns fans. That’s an unscientific notion, of course, largely driven on Sunday by the throngs of Watson jerseys that funneled into NRG by kickoff. Two of those civil lawsuits still remain.īut fan angst and outrage? If Sunday was any indication, it appears to be waning. This despite Watson’s suspension being tied to a multitude of women - most from Houston - filing 26 civil lawsuits against the quarterback that alleged sexual misconduct or assault. Outside, the league’s white-knuckling for so many months - not wanting Watson to return from an 11-game suspension in Houston - seemed almost entirely unnecessary.Īs a roughly half-capacity crowd filed in, there were no protests and virtually no overt signs of outrage at the Browns quarterback. Inside the stadium, there was little more than football curiosity mixed with the kind of in-game booing that often accompanies a star player forcing his way out of town. While the NFL made sure that less than 7 percent of a national viewing audience could see Watson’s return, there appeared to be little inclination to see it in person, too. In its place, a trickle of indifference materialized outside the stadium, taking on the feel of an exhibition game. The circus that could have been … never was. ![]() but reiterated he will be fully cooperative with any potential investigation.Off the field, this is how Sunday morning unfolded. Hardin says the NFL has not spoken to Watson yet. ![]() adding 2 of those women are not involved in the civil case. Hardin also says 10 women have filed criminal complaints with police. "I do not want anybody to be saying that this guy paid off women to stay quiet and so, if there ever was a settlement of any kind, it would have to be public and therefore both sides, and the women, would be able to say to the world at large whatever they wanted," Hardin said.Īs for the accusers, lawyer Tony Buzbee has previously made it clear there will not be any settlements. saying he's not opposed to hashing out a financial settlement with accusers - but any deal HAS to remain public. The Texans QB's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, gave an update on his client's legal battle to ESPN on Monday. this, according to the NFL superstar's attorney. Deshaun Watson is open to settling with the 20-plus women accusing him of sexual misconduct - but only if confidentiality agreements are NOT involved.
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