CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to fulfill the terms outlined in the disciplinary settlement with the NFL and is on track for reinstatement according to commissioner Roger Goodell.
A 26th lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct by Watson was filed last week in Harris County District Court in Texas, but the accusations contained within it do not affect Watson’s status.
“Yes, he has followed all of the terms of the agreement,” Goodell said at a press conference held at the NFL owner’s meetings Tuesday. “As far as any additional [allegations], we will follow all of those. If there is new information, we will take that into consideration, but we will see as time goes on.”
A total of 23 other lawsuits have been settled, one other dropped following a court order for plaintiffs to re-file petitions using their names and another remains active and set to go to trial in the spring.
A Texas judge on Monday ordered the most recent accuser to amend her civil complaint within 24 hours using her name instead of the pseudonym “Jane Doe” or risk having it dismissed following a motion filed by Watson’s attorney Rusty Hardin, who accused the therapist of plagiarizing her complaint from previous lawsuits in a nine-page response submitted to the court.
ESPN reported that the lawsuit was amended as ordered and resubmitted Tuesday, however a record of the amended complaint was unavailable as of Tuesday night.
The settlement between Watson and the NFL was reached following the league’s appeal of a six-game suspension handed down by former federal judge Sue L. Robinson, who found that Watson violated the Personal Conduct Policy multiple times and multiple ways amid allegations of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions while a member of the Houston Texans.
In addition to an 11-game ban, Watson agreed to pay a $5 million fine and participate in a mandated treatment program.
Despite nearly two dozen women filing accusations in civil court against Watson, the Browns acquired the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback in March from the Texans for six draft picks, including three first rounders.
Watson has maintained his innocence since the accusations became public and he issued a half-hearted apology to the women affected during a team-controlled TV interview that aired prior to the Browns preseason opener in August.
Watson returned to the Browns facility where he is permitted to attend meetings and work out on his own on October 10. He is eligible to practice November 14 and eligible for reinstatement on November 28.
The Browns intend to start Watson December 4 in Houston against his former team.